Gradual development
Evolution is another word for change. These laws will evolve our game.
Our game is evolving to keep pace with the players it serves. A comprehensive review of junior rugby looked at how the game is played and experienced at the junior level, and how laws and game design can better align with young players’ needs, modern coaching practice and contemporary safety standards.
The new laws, developed and piloted through the national Junior Law Review, evolve the game one age group at a time. Young players get greater time and exposure to key areas of the game, supporting meaningful involvement, skill development, confidence and enjoyment.
Their game evolves as they do. Each new skill arrives when they are ready for it, building confidence and enjoyment season by season.
A game that grows safely with their child, with tackles below the sternum and the scrum and lineout introduced in stages.
Coaching that evolves with the laws. A clear law set and Skills Framework for each age group, so they know what to teach and when.
Refereeing that steps up with each age group. One clear law set per age, so decisions are consistent on every ground.
Game day that evolves in clear steps. One national format per age group, so fields, fixtures and setup are easy to plan.
What's changing
The new laws introduce the game step by step as players develop.
Three development blocks, Foundation, Transition and Contest, bring in the tackle contest, scrum and lineout at the right stage, with playing numbers and field size growing alongside.
Players learn and apply the right skills at each stage of their rugby journey.
A safe introduction to contact. Players learn to tackle, their roles at the tackle contest, and to run forward and pass backwards, on a smaller field.Players continue to develop the tackle and tackle contest learnings while developing their catch & pass skills. The scrum is introduced in a safe, modified form.Players build on their tackle contest and catch & pass skills as set piece develops. The scrum becomes contested, and attacking teams can lift in the lineout.The first youth age group band. The game moves to XV-a-side rugby on a full field, but with safety and welfare variations retained to support player development.Second youth age group band where players continue to progress towards senior rugby law. Safety and welfare variations are still paramount as players begin to specialise.
Resource hub
All the resources that clubs and associations need to support and deliver the changes in laws from season 2027.