Rugby Law Variations: Sevens, 10s, U19, Game-On

Player welfare and development modifications for junior rugby

Front-Row Cover in a Squad of 22

A team that nominates 22 players must have at least six who can play in the front row, so there is replacement cover for the loosehead prop, hooker and tighthead prop.

Tactical Replacements Can Return

Law 3: Team

A player who has been tactically replaced may come back on to replace any injured player, or to make sure scrums can stay contested.

Match Duration: 35-Minute Halves

Law 5: Time

Under-19 matches last 70 minutes, in two halves of no more than 35 minutes each, plus time lost. Extra time is not allowed.

Trained Front Rows and Locks

Law 19: Scrum

Every player in the three front-row positions and the two lock positions must be suitably trained. If a team cannot field such players, the referee must order uncontested scrums. Uncontested scrums caused by a card or an injury are still played with eight players a side.

Scrum Formation

Law 19: Scrum

An eight-player scrum must use a 3-4-1 formation, with the single player, normally the number 8, pushing on the two locks. If one team's scrum drops below eight players, the other team must reduce theirs to match, down to a minimum of five.

Limits on Pushing and Wheeling

Law 19: Scrum

A team must not push the scrum more than 1.5 metres towards the opponents' try line, or keep the ball in the scrum once it has been heeled and controlled at the base. Both are free-kicks. A scrum that is wheeled through more than 45 degrees by accident is reset.