1. The 15 Man Game

The move from Midi rugby to Youth rugby involves a few very distinct and challenging changes.

1.0 Team constitution

The team now comprises 15 players in addition to a solid bank of substitutes as follows:

• The Front Row
  • Tight Head Prop
  • Hooker
  • Loose Head Prop
• Second Row
• Back Row
  • Open side flanker
  • Blind side flanker
  • Number 8
• Half Backs
  • Scrum half
  • Fly Half
• Centres
  • Inside centre
  • Outside centre
• Back Three
  • Right Wing
  • Left Wing
  • Full Back
• Substitutes
  • It is advisable that 6 of the squad are trained in the front row positions otherwise uncontested scrums will be enforced

1.1 Pitch Size

The game is now played on a full size pitch

1.2 Law changes

The continuum no longer applies; the game is played as per the adult game with only a few amendments which can be found in the game below.  The law amendments only stipulate what is not allowed, the following details what is now allowed

• Hand–offs
  • Permitted to any part of the body
• Grubber kicks and fly hacks
• Shortened Line Outs
• Quick throw ins at the line out
• Number 8 pick up
  • ball must be picked up from the hindmost part of the scrum
  • Flankers are not allowed to pick up from the base of the scrum
  • Conversions to be taken in line with where the try was scored

2. Under 19 - Law Variations

The following variations are applicable in domestic Schools and Club Youth rugby matches in England only.

2.0 General Law Changes from the Continuum

LAW 3 - Number of Players - The Team

• 3.5 (d) If a team nominates 22 players, it must have at least six players who can play in the front row in order that there is replacement cover for the loose–head prop, hooker and tight–head prop.
• 3.5 (f) If a team nominates more than 22 players it must have at least six players who can play in the front row in order that there is replacement cover for the loose–head prop, hooker and tight–head prop. There must also be three players who can play in lock position.
• 3.13 A player who has been substituted may replace an injured player.
• Rolling Substitutions
  • A player who has been substituted may replace any player, whether or not that player has been injured.
  • Players may be exchanged at any time during the match, when the ball is dead, and with the knowledge of the referee

LAW 10 – Temporary Suspension Sin bin Protocol

• As per the adult game the player will remain in the Sin Bin for ten minutes actual playing time.
• The player will stand out of the field of play, in the vicinity of the half way line, at a place readily identifiable to the referee.
• The player must be under the control of the teachers and coaches.
• The player should not be isolated and should be given warm clothing to wear whilst serving the temporary suspension

LAW 20 - Scrum

• 20.1 (f) In an 8 person scrum the formation must be 3–4–1, with the single player (normally the Number 8) shoving on the 2 locks. The locks must pack with their heads on either side of the hooker.
• Front rows coming together. Each prop touches the opponent´s upper arm and then pause before the front rows meet. The sequence should be: crouch, touch, pause, engage.
• Maximum 1.5 metres push. A team in a scrum must not push the scrum more than 1.5 metres towards their opponents´ goal–line.
  • Penalty: Free Kick
• Ball must be released from scrum. A player must not intentionally keep the ball in the scrum once the player´s team has heeled the ball and controls it at the base of the scrum.
  • Penalty: Free Kick
• Incomplete Scrum
  • Exception: Ateam must have fewer than eight players in its scrum when either the team cannot field a complete team, or a player is sent off for Foul Play, or a player leaves the field because of injury. Even allowing for this exception, each team must always have at least five players in a scrum.
  • If a team is incomplete, the scrum formation must be as follows:
    • If a team is without one player, then both teams must use a 3–4 formation (i.e. no No.8).
    • If a team is without two players, then both teams must use a 3–2–1 formation (i.e. no flankers).

2.1 AGE GROUP SPECIFIC LAW VARIATIONS

2.1.1UNDER 13 TO UNDER 18 INCLUSIVE:

LAW 14 and 15 – Squeeze Ball

• No player involved in a match at any age level from under 18 downwards shall use in training or in a match the technique known or referred to as Squeeze ball.
• Note: 'Squeeze ball' is a technique where the ball carrier goes to ground, head forward (touching or close to the ground), irrespective of immediate contact with opponents) usually keeping parallel to the touchline, holding and protecting the ball close to the chest and, when on the ground, pushes the ball back between the legs.
• Penalty: Penalty Kick

2.1.2UNDER 15

LAW 5 – Time

• Playing time not to exceed 30 minutes each way playing with a size five ball.
• After 60 minutes of playing time, the referee must not allow extra time to be played in the case of a drawn match on any occasion.
• 15–a–side Festivals should follow the following pattern:
  • Not exceeding 5 matches of 9 minutes each way = 90 minutes

LAW 19 – Line–out

• Lifting/supporting is prohibited at this age group, i.e. a player may not bind to a jumper until that player has returned to the ground.
• Penalty: Penalty Kick.

LAW 20 – Scrum

• The scrum–half not throwing the ball into the scrum must not move beyond the middle line of the scrum until the ball has emerged from the scrum or an opponent has placed his hands on the ball.
• In the event of a strike against the head, the scrum–half who has thrown the ball into the scrum is similarly restricted in not following the ball.

2.1.3UNDER 16 TO UNDER 19 INCLUSIVE

LAW 5 – Time

• Playing time not to exceed 35 minutes each way playing with a size five ball.
• After 70 minutes of playing time, the referee must not allow extra time to be played in the case of a drawn match on any occasion.
• 15–a–side Festivals should follow the following pattern:
  • Not exceeding 5 matches of 9 minutes each

Otherwise the IRB Laws of the Game with Under 19 and Seven–a–Side Variations apply at all times.

Lead coach for the U16's is Ant Sweeney 01252 331674