The development of artificial grass surfaces that replicate the playing qualities of good quality material grass has stimulated much interest in the games of rugby and football. These surfaces, often described as long pile (or third generation) artificial grass, have a much longer pile than the previously used sand filled surfaces and are normally partly filled with rubber or rubber and sand mixes.

The improved qualities of these new artificial grass surfaces have been recognized by the international governing bodies of rugby union and football and they have each amended their rules to allow the use of artificial grass pitches in their competitions.

To ensure pitches have the desired playing characteristics and provide the necessary levels of player protection, these international governing bodies have specified the performance they require from artificial grass pitches. Their standards are:
• IRB Performance Specification for Artificial Turf Surfaces for Rugby – Regulation 22 (henceforth referred to as ‘IRB Regulation 22’).
• FIFA Quality Concept for Artificial Turf Surfaces.

Many artificial grass pitches are, however, used by more than one sport and this can lead to compromises in the characteristics of the playing surface. Recognizing the synergy between sports, the IRFU has prepared this performance standard and guide for multi-use artificial grass pitches. The standard is based on the requirements of the IRB and FIFA standards, modified to reflect the multi-use nature of the pitch. It details how a pitch should perform (player/surface interaction and ball/surface interaction); it also specifies requirements for the artificial grass surfacing (durability, construction, etc); finally, it specifies requirements for the design and construction of pitches. Surface and pitches satisfying this standard will also satisfy IRB Regulation 22.