U14s to U19s Laws CY
CY 15-a-Side UNDER 19 LAWS APPLY, WORLD RUGBY LAW UNDER 19 VARIATIONS:
AGE:
U14 means U14 as of the 31st of August at the start of the season. U14 players are allowed to play a maximum of one year above with parental permission.
U15 means U15 as of the 31st of August at the start of the season. U15 players are allowed to play a maximum of one year above with parental permission.
U16 means U16 as of the 31st of August at the start of the season. U16 players are allowed to play youth rugby providing that they are at least 16 years old. Youth players are allowed to play senior rugby providing that they are at least 18yrs old.
TEAM SIZE: 15 players: eight forwards maximum seven backs maximum
UNDER 14-16: The WRU requires that both teams shall field the same number of players throughout the game, except if a player is sent off that team then is disadvantaged.
YOUTH RUGBY: At under 19 Youth rugby, the game must start with equal number of players on the field, minimum is 12 players per team, however if a team loses a player through injury or being sent off, that team will be disadvantaged.
PERIODS OF PLAY: Two halves each of up to 30 minutes playing time - no extra time, for Under 14 and 15 players. Two halves each of up to 35 minutes playing time - no extra time, for U16-U19 players.
PLAYING AREA: A full size field 100m (length) x 70m (width) maximum.
BALL SIZE: Size four (Under 14s). Size five (Under 15s - Under 19s).
COACH QUALIFICATION: UKCC Level one. UKCC Level two Coach Award recommended.
REFEREE QUALIFICATION: WRU Level one Award for matches in age groups 14-16 years WRU Level two Award for Youth Rugby.
WORLD RUGBY LAWS - UNDER 19 VARIATIONS
LAW 3: NUMBER OF PLAYERS - THE TEAM
(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.
(5) (e) 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.
(13) (b) A player who has been substituted may replace an injured player.
LAW 5, TIME:
Each half of an Under-19 match lasts 35 minutes playing time. Play in a match lasts no longer than 70 minutes. After a total of 70 minutes playing time, the referee must not allow extra time to be played in the case of a drawn match in a knockout competition.
LAW 20: SCRUM
(1) (f) In an eight person scrum the formation must be 3-4-1, with the single
player (normally the Number eight) shoving on the two locks. The locks must pack with their heads on either side of the hooker.
Exception: A team 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.eight).
If a team is without two players, then both teams must use a 3-2-1 formation (i.e. no flankers).
If a team is without three players, then both teams must use a 3-2 formation (i.e. only front rows and locks).
When a normal scrum takes place, the players in the three front row positions and the two lock positions must have been suitably trained for these positions.
If a team cannot field such suitably trained players because:
either they are not available, or a player in one of those five positions is injured or has been sent off for Foul Play and no suitably trained replacement is available, then the referee must order uncontested scrums.
All games can start with non contested scrums and the teams can maintain their full compliment of substitutes.
In an uncontested scrum, the teams do not compete for the ball. The team putting in the ball must win it. Neither team is allowed to push the other team away from the mark. Front rows coming together. Each prop touches the opponent's upper arm and then pauses before the front rows meet. The sequence should be: crouch, bind, set.
No wheeling: A team must not intentionally wheel a scrum. Penalty: free kick.
If a wheel reaches 45 degrees, the referee must stop play. If the wheel is unintentional, the referee orders another scrum at the place where the scrum is stopped.
WRU ruling, the ball is put in by the team that previously put it in.
Maximum 1.5 metres push. A team in the 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.