General

  • The Laws of the game of rugby are available at laws.worldrugby.org
  • The summary below was extracted from an official document distributed by Connacht Branch in 2011-12. Decisions, instructions and information from referees and Branch supersede any of the informal notes below, which are provided as a guide only.

U13

  • Max match duration: 50 min
  • Injury time: Yes
  • Extra time: No
  • Ball size: 4
  • Line-out – Pre-grip: No
  • Line-out – Lifting: No
  • Scrum – Push: 1.5m only
  • Scrum – Wheel and reset: 45 degrees and reset
  • Scrum – Must have the same number of forwards in the scrum:
    • if a forward is carded – opposition must reduce numbers
    • if a back line player is carded no reduction in forwards
  • Scrum – Must have the following format:
    • Full scrum: 3-4-1
    • In the event of yellow card(s) then 3-4 then 3-2-1 then 3-2
  • Maul – Use or lose: Yes
  • Squeeze ball: Not allowed
  • Yellow card: No
  • Red card: Yes (replace player if necessary)
  • Subs – Front row cover: See law 3.5
  • Substitutes – Blood: Yes

U14

  • Max match duration: 50 min
  • Injury time: Yes
  • Extra time: No
  • Ball size: 4
  • Line-out – Pre-grip: No
  • Line-out – Lifting: No
  • Scrum – Push: 1.5m only
  • Scrum – Wheel and reset: 45 degrees and reset
  • Scrum – Must have the same number of forwards in the scrum:
    • if a forward is carded – opposition must reduce numbers
    • if a back line player is carded no reduction in forwards
  • Scrum – Must have the following format:
    • Full scrum: 3-4-1
    • In the event of yellow card(s) then 3-4 then 3-2-1 then 3-2
  • Maul – Use or lose: Yes
  • Squeeze ball: Not allowed
  • Yellow card: No
  • Red card: Yes (replace player if necessary)
  • Subs – Front row cover: See law 3.5
  • Substitutes – Blood: Yes

U15

  • Max match duration: 60 min
  • Injury time: Yes
  • Extra time: No
  • Ball size: 4
  • Line-out – Pre-grip: No
  • Line-out – Lifting: No
  • Scrum – Push: 1.5m only
  • Scrum – Wheel and reset: 45 degrees and reset
  • Scrum – Must have the same number of forwards in the scrum:
    • if a forward is carded – opposition must reduce numbers
    • if a back line player is carded no reduction in forwards
  • Scrum – Must have the following format:
    • Full scrum: 3-4-1
    • In the event of yellow card(s) then 3-4 then 3-2-1 then 3-2
  • Maul – Use or lose: Yes
  • Squeeze ball: Not allowed
  • Yellow card: No
  • Red card: Yes
  • Subs – Front row cover: See law 3.5
  • Substitutes – Blood: Yes

U16

  • Max match duration: 60 min
  • Injury time: Yes
  • Extra time: No
  • Ball size: 5
  • Line-out – Pre-grip: Yes (Connacht Cup)
  • Line-out – Lifting: Yes – on shorts
  • Scrum – Push: 1.5m only
  • Scrum – Wheel and reset: 45 degrees and reset
  • Scrum – Must have the same number of forwards in the scrum:
    • if a forward is carded – opposition must reduce numbers
    • if a back line player is carded no reduction in forwards
  • Scrum – Must have the following format:
    • Full scrum: 3-4-1
    • In the event of yellow card(s) then 3-4 then 3-2-1 then 3-2
  • Maul – Use or lose: Yes
  • Squeeze ball: Not allowed
  • Yellow card: No
  • Red card: Yes
  • Subs – Front row cover: See law 3.5
  • Substitutes – Blood: Yes

U17

  • Max match duration: 70 min
  • Injury time: Yes
  • Extra time: No
  • Ball size: 5
  • Line-out – Pre-grip: Yes
  • Line-out – Lifting: Yes
  • Scrum – Push: 1.5m only
  • Scrum – Wheel and reset: 45 degrees and reset
  • Scrum – Must have the same number of forwards in the scrum:
    • if a forward is carded – opposition must reduce numbers
    • if a back line player is carded no reduction in forwards
  • Scrum – Must have the following format:
    • Full scrum: 3-4-1
    • In the event of yellow card(s) then 3-4 then 3-2-1 then 3-2
  • Maul – Use or lose: Yes
  • Squeeze ball: Not allowed
  • Yellow card: Yes (7 min)
  • Red card: Yes
  • Subs – Front row cover: See law 3.5
  • Substitutes – Blood: Yes

U19

  • Max match duration: 70 min
  • Injury time: Yes
  • Extra time: No
  • Ball size: 5
  • Line-out – Pre-grip: Yes
  • Line-out – Lifting: Yes
  • Scrum – Push: 1.5 m only
  • Scrum – Wheel and reset: 45 degrees and reset
  • Scrum – Must have the same number of forwards in the scrum:
    • if a forward is carded – opposition must reduce numbers
    • if a back line player is carded no reduction in forwards
  • Scrum – Must have the following format:
    • Full scrum: 3-4-1
    • In the event of yellow card(s) then 3-4 then 3-2-1 then 3-2
  • Maul – Use or lose: Yes
  • Squeeze ball: Not allowed
  • Yellow card: Yes (7 min)
  • Red card: Yes
  • Subs – Front row cover: See law 3.5
  • Substitutes – Blood: Yes