Women’s and girls’ rugby has seen an average yearly 12% growth over the past decade and, with enough girls now playing rugby in England, from next season there will be changes allowing girls to have similar playing development to that of boys.

From season 2022/23, girls’ age bands will move from the current U13, U15, U18 to an U12s age band, and two-year age bands at U14, at U16 and at U18.

U11 or Year Six girls will be able to either continue to play U11 mixed rugby; play girls only U11 rugby; or play U12s girls’ rugby, following appropriate sign-off by parents and coaches. In addition, there will no longer be a three-year U18 age band.

These developments are aimed at supporting player welfare, with less scope for mismatches in terms of age and physical and mental development.

The changes reflect feedback and create age bandings providing a structure that supports and encourages girls to play rugby and the growth of the age grade girls' game. They also provide equity in the rules of play with the boys’ game, allowing the playing development journey to be the same.

Link to RFU article and information - here