Rugby

RUGBY

OFFICIAL RULES 

RFU / IRB (World Rugby) 

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA (AGE AND EXPERIENCE) 

RUGBY AGE CATEGORIES 

• U18 = Under 17 and Under 18 on 31st of August of the current school year 

• U16 = Under 15 and Under 16 on 31st of August of the current school year 

An Under 16 player can train and play up in the U18 age category (but is not allowed in the front row of contested scrums), only if 

appropriate assessment is carried out 

• permission given by an approved and designated assessor within the school

• permission letter signed by the parent or guardian 

• communication is provided to the game or Competition Organiser at least 48 hours in advance, submitting the name and age of the Under 16 player 

WAIVER FORM

The Waiver form must be signed by the appropriately asked parents/guardians: Click HERE  for a PDF of the form (print off)

No over-age players are allowed at any time with no exceptions.

COACH AND REFEREE EDUCATION/QUALIFICATION STRUCTURE 

Schools entering in SGIS Rugby games and competitions must have qualified or licensed Coaches approved by World Rugby 

Game and competition hosts must use qualified and/or suitable experienced referees 

RISK ASSESSMENT 

Host schools, as well as travelling teams, have conducted a risk assessment for matches and competitions to provide a safe environment for SGIS Rugby competitions, including the use of pitches and facilities, arrangements for safeguarding, first aid provisions, etc.

CONCUSSION AWARENESS TRAINING FOR PLAYERS AND COACHES 

School commit to a four-step concussion education code: 

• All staff Coaching or refereeing contact Rugby to have successfully completed the 30-minute Headcase Concussion Awareness Course for teachers and parents available here 

• All players in extra-curricular contact Rugby in Year 10 and above to have successfully completed the 20-minute Headcase Concussion Awareness Course for players available here 

• All players in curricular Rugby in Year 7 and above to have watched the 7-minute ERTV Concussion video available here 

• Rugby parents in the school to have been signposted to the Headcase Concussion Awareness programme HERE

IMMEDIATE CARE: AGREEMENT AND PROVISION 

Each team MUST have at least 1 (one) certified Sports First Aider (e.g. Coach) and an accompanying adult (chaperone) when attending SGIS Rugby games and competitions 

All SGIS Rugby games and competitions MUST have an Immediate Care Practitioner (e.g. school nurse) on site at a designated place near the field(s) 

Appropriate first aid equipment and facilities must be available at the host venue 

FACILITIES 

Competition Directors must ensure that an appropriate/safe playing environment (e.g. protected posts, run outs, obstacles…) for players, Coaches and spectators is provided. 

PLAY TIME 

Maximum 90 mins per day, over 2 consecutive days, but not over 3 consecutive days 

Recommended length of games: 

• 15’s = 15 minutes per half 

• 10’s = 10 minutes per half 

• 7’s = 7 minutes per half

FORMATS 

The specific 7’s, 10’s or 15’s competition formats for each age category and season will be decided on at the SGIS Autumn AGM. 

ALLOWABLE VARIATION 

It is allowed to reduce numbers, or have uncontested scrums, if appropriate or necessary: 

• 15’s can be reduced to a minimum of 10 players per team 

• 10’s can be reduced to a minimum of 8 players per team 

Both teams have to take the same amount of players off. The same amount of players must be in the scrum.