Royal & SunAlliance National U15 Festival Rugby School Sunday 1st and Monday 2nd May 2005

Tournament Rules

Squad Size
The sides shall comprise 10 players (five forwards and five backs) from a squad of 16 for the boy’s and development Festival, and 12 players (five forwards and seven backs) from a squad of not more than 25 for the girl’s Festival.  All players must be registered with the appropriate venue co-ordinator before the start of play.  All players must start in at least one game.  No additional squad members may be drafted in during the Festival.

Eligibility
Every boy must have been under 15 years and each girl under 14 years of age on the 1st of September 2004. 

Competition Format
A round robin format in pools of 3, 4 or 5 leading to a knockout or a further round robin phase in the later stages will be followed. Each team will play at least 5 games.

Festival Rules
Teams may be eliminated from the tournament or be deducted league points if, in the opinion of any referee or the Tournament Co-ordinator, the behaviour of non playing members of the squad or other supporters/staff is deemed to be unacceptable.  Unacceptable behaviour shall be deemed to be any actions that are detrimental to the enjoyment or well being of any player, official or spectator, or any behaviour contrary to the RFU’s and RFUW’s Codes of Conduct for those involved in the game.

All games will be played according to the Laws of the Game with special reference to the RFU and RFUW Law Variations for the U15 boy’s and U14 girl’s game. This includes front row and other scrummaging laws.

The duration of matches will be 10 minutes each way for the boy’s Festival, 6 minutes each way for the Development Festival and 8 minutes each way for the Girls Festival.  No extra time will be played in pool or play off matches. 

Pool positions to be decided by league points gained in pool matches (2 points for a win, 1 for a draw). If the same by the greatest number of points scored. If the same by the greatest number of tries scored.  If the same by the best points difference.  If the same by the toss of a coin.  Any tied knockout match shall be decided following the toss of a coin, by a ‘golden try’ scenario played between teams of 7 a side (3 forwards) for a duration of not longer than 5 minutes.  If the teams are still tied then by the toss of a coin by the referee with the 2 captains.

Restarts from a score are by drop-kick from the scoring side

Conversions are by drop-kick only

Replacements may be used at any time in the event of an injury, but only at half time or between games when no injury is involved. A team who can only field 10 or fewer players for the boy’s and development Festivals and 12 or fewer for the girl’s Festival because of illness/injuries may borrow players or replacements from another team to complete their pool matches. The team will only be able to proceed past the pool stage from the last place in their pool. All such replacements will be at the discretion of the Tournament Co-ordinator.

Any player sent off by the referee will not play again on either day of the tournament. Usual reporting and disciplinary procedures will be followed.

The organisation of the tournament is at the discretion of the Tournament Co-ordinator. Any disputes concerning the interpretation of these Rules shall be advised to the Tournament Co-ordinator or other officially designated person. He/she shall arbitrate and his/her decision shall be final.