Age Grade Rugby ensures that every player is able to enjoy rugby in a safe environment where they can develop their personal and social skills as well as a wide array of transferable multi-sports skills. This results in their holistic development as well as their lifelong involvement in rugby and other sports.

Age Grade Rugby is the game for all players aged 6 – 18 in clubs, schools, colleges and within the representative pathway and it incorporates the rules of play, regulation, competition formats and the structure of the season.

It is based on the principles of player centred, development driven and competition supported with the wants and needs of young people at its heart.

The format at various ages ensures that young players play the right rugby at the right time. These formats are supported by the regulations of the Age Grade game and have been developed by scientific research and studies on player development in sport.

The principle behind the Rules of Play is to provide a playing format with building blocks to the 15-a-side game that allows players time to get to grips with the basics of running and catching the ball before contact and specialism is gradually introduced – which positively impacts on player safety.

More details on the regulations can be found on the RFU website

Follow the links below to see your child’s age grade (these links take you to the RFU website)

- U7 rules of play (Tag Rugby)
- U8 rules of play (Tag Rugby)
- U9 rules of play (Transitional Contact)
- U10 rules of play
- U11 rules of play
- U12 rules of play
- U13 rules of play (boys only)
- U14 rules of play
- U15-U18 variations to the laws of the game