Royal & SunAlliance National Youth Rugby Festival Rugby School

Sunday 30th of April and Monday 1st May 2006

Tournament Rules

Team and Squad Size

• 10 a side from a squad of 16 for U15 boys’ festivals
• 12 a side from a squad of 20 for U14 girls’ festival
• 15 a side from a squad of 25 for U17 girls’ festival
• 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 or 17 years of age on the 1st of September 2005.

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 and U17 girl’s game. This includes front row and other scrummaging laws. There will be no ‘lifting’ in the lineouts for the U15 boys.
• The duration of matches will be 10 minutes each way for the boys’ and U17 girls’ festivals, 6 minutes each way for the Development Festival and 8 minutes each way for the U14 girls’ festival. No extra time will be played in pool or play off matches.
• Group and play off positions to be decided by league points gained in group 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’ period of play between teams of 7 a side (3 forwards) for 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 following a score are by drop-kick by the scoring side and 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 fewer than the required number of players 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.