The laws of Rugby League have been the responsibility of the RLIF since its formation in 1998.

Click here to download the Official International Laws of the game.

A player is eligible to play an International Match for:

(a) the country in which he was born;

(b) the country in which either of his parents or any of his grandparents was born; 

(c) the country which has been his principal place of residence for a period of three years up to the date of his selection; 

(d) the country for which he has gained Senior International honours in any sport.

A player who is eligible to play for more than one country shall be entitled to elect for which country he wishes to play. 

When a player plays a Senior International Match for a country, he is deemed to have elected to play for that country. Once an election is made the player may not play Senior representative rugby league for any other country until the end of the next World Cup tournament, or the expiry of two years, whichever is earlier (‘Election Period’).