Game day in 2027

Overview for the Player

Choose your age group to see what your game experience will look like from 2027 onwards.

What changes at each age Download the age group law set Download the age group law set Download the age group law set Download the age group law set Download the age group law set

U8U8U8U8U9&10U9&10U9&10U9&10U11&12U11&12U11&12U11&12U13&14U13&14U13&14U13&14U15&16U15&16U15&16U15&16

U15&16U13&14U11&12U9&10U8 on game day

Contest phaseTransition phaseFoundation phase

1512107a side

2 x 302 x 252 x 202 x 15minute halves

FullFull field60m x 35m33m x 35mfieldless 10mhalf fieldquarter field

Size 5Size 4Size 3ball (4.5 for girls)ball

What's new in 2027:

Minor changes to the set piece, including the crutch bind and leg lift, as well as a smaller ball size.U11 and U12 now play under the same laws, giving players two full seasons to build their skills and game understanding.U9 and U10 now play under the same laws, giving players two full seasons to build their skills and game understanding.No scrums or lineouts, and a smaller field.

ScrumsRestarts

Full scrums of 8 players. Both teams compete, and the push stops at 1.5m.Scrums of 6 players, and both teams compete for the ball.5 player scrum with full engagement but no push, to support player development.Every restart is a quick tap and pass, so the ball is back in play fast.

LineoutsCoaches

Both teams can jump and lift to compete for the ball.Attacking team can be lifted only, with focus on completing the throw, lift and jump skill.No lineout. The ball is passed back into the field of play, replicating a quick throw-in used in older age groups.A coach from each team is on the field to guide and support players' development.

KickingTackling

Kicking, conversions, penalty goals and drop goals are all part of the game.Kicking is now part of the game, and conversion kicks return.No kicking during play, so players run and pass.Players learn to tackle safely and below the sternum.

CoachesScoring

Coaches watch from behind the bench, not on the field.Coaches move to the sideline and watch from behind the bench.A coach from each team is on the field to guide and support players' development.Tries only. There are no conversion kicks.

Tackle ContestTacklingTackle contest

Tackles must still be below the sternum.Tackle contest is fully contested, with no limit on numbers.Players keep tackling low, below the sternum.A maximum of 2 players per team can join the tackle contest.

Tackle Contest and MaulCardsTackle contestKicking

The tackle contest and maul are played under World Rugby law.A yellow card means 5 minutes off the field, and the player cannot be replaced.A maximum of 2 players per team can join the tackle contest.No kicking during play, so players run and pass.

See the U15&16U13&14U11&12U9&10U8 field map →

What changes at each age

Select an age grade to compare the previous laws with the new 2027 laws.
Turn off ‘show changes’ to view the 2027 laws on their own.

Junior Age GroupsU8 to U12 · compare with previous lawsJunior Age GroupsU8 to U12 · compare with previous lawsJunior Age GroupsU8 to U12 · compare with previous lawsJunior Age GroupsU8 to U12 · compare with previous lawsYouth Age GroupsU13 to U16 · compare with previous lawsYouth Age GroupsU13 to U16 · compare with previous lawsYouth Age GroupsU13 to U16 · compare with previous lawsYouth Age GroupsU13 to U16 · compare with previous laws

Show changes Show changes Show changes Show changes Show changes Show changes Show changes Show changes Show changes Show changes Show changes Show changes Show changes Show changes Show changes Show changes Show changes Show changes

←←←←←←←←←←←←←←←←U15&16U13&14U11&12U9&10U8Step up to U9Step up to U10Step up to U11Step up to U12Start again at U8Step up to U13Step up to U9Step up to U10Step up to U11Step up to U12Step up to U14Step up to U15Step up to U16Step up to U14Step up to U15Step up to U16

3 changes for U16 from the old law to the new law5 changes for U15 from the old law to the new law6 changes for U14 from the old law to the new law6 changes for U13 from the old law to the new law7 changes for U12 from the old law to the new law5 changes for U11 from the old law to the new law11 changes for U10 from the old law to the new law6 changes for U9 from the old law to the new law7 changes for U8 from the old law to the new lawBallMatch timePlayers a sideRucksFieldRed cardScrumsFieldLineoutsRucksBlue cardLineoutsYellow cardBallCoachScrumsRed cardRucksYellow cardLineoutsBlue cardScrumsRed cardYellow cardLineoutsBlue cardRed cardKickingBlue cardCoachYellow cardRed cardBlue card

U13ContestU13ContestU14ContestU14ContestU15ContestU15ContestU16ContestU16Contest

Players a side

Field

Full field

Ball

Size 4

Size 5 - Male Size 4.5 - Female

Match time

2 x 25 min

2 x 30 min

Tackles

Below the sternum

Rucks

Full contest

Scrums

8 a side, contested, crutch bind allowed

Lineouts

Both teams compete, lift by legs or shorts

Kicking

Full kicking game

Coach

Sideline

Yellow card

5 min

10 min

Red card

Player removed and cannot be replaced. Another player can return after 10 mins

Blue card

Referee may award Blue Card

U8FoundationU8FoundationU9FoundationU9FoundationU10FoundationU10FoundationU11TransitionU11TransitionU12TransitionU12Transition

Players a side

Field

Quarter field

Half field

Full field less 10m

Ball

Size 3

Size 4

Match time

2 x 15 min

2 x 20 min

2 x 25 min

Tackles

Below the sternum

Rucks

Up to 2 per team

Full contest

Scrums

None

5 a side, no push

6 a side, contested

Lineouts

None

Quick throw set up

Lifting by the attacking team only

Kicking

None

Kicking and conversions

Coach

On the field

Sideline

Yellow card

Player replaced, coach managed

5min, no replacement

Red card

Player replaced, coach managed

Player removed and cannot be replaced. Another player can return after 10 mins

Blue card

Managed by coach, referee and manager

U13ContestU13ContestU14ContestU14ContestU15ContestU15ContestU16ContestU16Contest

Players a side

Field

Full field

Ball

Size 4 Was: Size 5

Size 4

Size 4 Was: Size 5

Size 5 - Male Size 4.5 - Female

Size 5 - Male Size 4.5 - Female Was: Size 5

Size 5 - Male Size 4.5 - Female

Size 5 - Male Size 4.5 - Female Was: Size 5

Match time

2 x 25 min

2 x 30 min

Tackles

Below the sternum

Rucks

Full contest

Scrums

8 a side, contested, crutch bind allowed Was: 8 a side, contested, no crutch bind

8 a side, contested, crutch bind allowed

8 a side, contested, crutch bind allowed Was: 8 a side, contested, no crutch bind

8 a side, contested, crutch bind allowed

8 a side, contested, crutch bind allowed Was: 8 a side, contested, no crutch bind

8 a side, contested, crutch bind allowed

Lineouts

Both teams compete, lift by legs or shorts Was: Both teams compete, no lifting on the legs

Both teams compete, lift by legs or shorts

Both teams compete, lift by legs or shorts Was: Both teams compete, no lifting on the legs

Both teams compete, lift by legs or shorts

Both teams compete, lift by legs or shorts Was: Both teams compete, no lifting on the legs

Both teams compete, lift by legs or shorts

Kicking

Full kicking game

Coach

Sideline

Yellow card

5 min Was: 10 min (unions could reduce to 5 min)

5 min

5 min Was: 10 min (unions could reduce to 5 min)

10 min

Red card

Player removed and cannot be replaced. Another player can return after 10 mins Was: Off, not replaced

Player removed and cannot be replaced. Another player can return after 10 mins

Player removed and cannot be replaced. Another player can return after 10 mins Was: Off, not replaced

Player removed and cannot be replaced. Another player can return after 10 mins

Player removed and cannot be replaced. Another player can return after 10 mins Was: Off, not replaced

Player removed and cannot be replaced. Another player can return after 10 mins

Player removed and cannot be replaced. Another player can return after 10 mins Was: Off, not replaced

Blue card

Referee may award Blue Card Was: Not covered

Referee may award Blue Card

Referee may award Blue Card Was: Not covered

Referee may award Blue Card

Referee may award Blue Card Was: Not covered

Referee may award Blue Card

Referee may award Blue Card Was: Not covered

U8FoundationU8FoundationU9FoundationU9FoundationU10FoundationU10FoundationU11TransitionU11TransitionU12TransitionU12Transition

Players a side

10 Was: 12

12 Was: 15

Field

Quarter field Was: Half field

Quarter field

Half field

Half field Was: Full field less 10m

Full field less 10m

Full field less 10m Was: Full field

Ball

Size 3

Size 3 Was: Size 4

Size 4

Match time

2 x 15 min

2 x 20 min

2 x 25 min

2 x 25 min Was: 2 x 20 min

2 x 25 min

Tackles

Below the sternum

Rucks

Up to 2 per team Was: No limit on numbers

Up to 2 per team

Up to 2 per team Was: No limit on numbers

Up to 2 per team

Up to 2 per team Was: No limit on numbers

Full contest

Scrums

None Was: 3 a side, no contest

None

5 a side, no push

5 a side, no push Was: 6 a side, contested, 1m push

6 a side, contested

6 a side, contested Was: 8 players, contested, 1m push

Lineouts

None Was: 2 a side, no contest

None

Quick throw set up

Quick throw set up Was: 4 a side, no contest

Quick throw set up

Quick throw set up Was: 5 a side, contested, no lifting

Lifting by the attacking team only

Lifting by the attacking team only Was: 5 a side, contested, no lifting

Lifting by the attacking team only

Lifting by the attacking team only Was: 7 a side, contested, no lifting

Kicking

None

None Was: Permitted

Kicking and conversions

Coach

On the field

On the field Was: On the field, first half of season

On the field

On the field Was: Sideline

Sideline

Yellow card

Player replaced, coach managed Was: 5 min sin bin, may be replaced

Player replaced, coach managed

Player replaced, coach managed Was: 5 min sin bin, may be replaced

Player replaced, coach managed

Player replaced, coach managed Was: 5 min sin bin, may be replaced

5min, no replacement

5min, no replacement Was: 5 min, may be replaced

5min, no replacement

5min, no replacement Was: 5 min, may be replaced

Red card

Player replaced, coach managed Was: Off, may be replaced

Player replaced, coach managed

Player replaced, coach managed Was: Off, may be replaced

Player replaced, coach managed

Player replaced, coach managed Was: Off, may be replaced

Player removed and cannot be replaced. Another player can return after 10 mins

Player removed and cannot be replaced. Another player can return after 10 mins Was: Off, may be replaced

Player removed and cannot be replaced. Another player can return after 10 mins

Player removed and cannot be replaced. Another player can return after 10 mins Was: Off, may be replaced

Blue card

Managed by coach, referee and manager Was: Not covered

Managed by coach, referee and manager

Managed by coach, referee and manager Was: Not covered

Managed by coach, referee and manager

Managed by coach, referee and manager Was: Not covered

Managed by coach, referee and manager

Managed by coach, referee and manager Was: Not covered

Managed by coach, referee and manager

Managed by coach, referee and manager Was: Not covered

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