W E L S H R U G B Y U N I O N - R U G B Y P A T H WA Y
Under 14's To Under 19's - Laws
AGE:
U14 means Under 14 as on 1st September at the start of the season.
U15 means Under 15 as on 1st September at the start of the season.
U16 means Under 16 as on 1st September at the start of the season.
U19 means Youth at least 16 years old but no older than 19 years of
age on 31st August.
TEAM SIZE:
15 players: 8 forwards maximum 7 backs maximum. The WRU requires that both teams shall field the same number of players throughout the game, however if a player is sent off that team is disadvantaged.
PERIODS OF PLAY:
2 halves each of up to 30 minutes playing time – no extra time, for
Under 14 and Under 15 players.
2 halves each of up to 35 minutes playing time – no extra time, for
Under 16 and Under 19 players.
PLAYING AREA:
A full size field (100m x 70m maximum).
BALL SIZE:
Size 4 (Under 14s).
Size 5 (Under 15s – Under 19s).
COACH QUALIFICATION:
WRU Level 2 Coach Award recommended.
REFEREE QUALIFICATION:
WRU Level 1 Referees' Award.
IRB Under 19 Law variations:
LAW 3: NUMBER OF PLAYERS – THE TEAM
(5) (d) If a team nominates 22 players, it must have at least six players who can play in the
front row in order that there is replacement cover for the loose-head prop, hooker and
tight-head prop.
(5) (e) If a team nominates more than 22 players it must have at least six players who can
play in the front row in order that there is replacement cover for the loose-head prop,
hooker and tight-head prop. There must also be three players who can play in lock
position.
(13) (b) A player who has been substituted may replace an injured player.
LAW 5: TIME
Each half of an Under-19 match lasts 35 minutes playing time. Play in a match lasts no longer
than 70 minutes.After a total of 70 minutes playing time, the referee must not allow extra time to
be played in the case of a drawn match in a knock-out competition.
LAW 20: SCRUM
(1) (f) In an 8 person scrum the formation must be 3-4-1,with the single player (normally
the Number 8) shoving on the 2 locks.The locks must pack with their heads on
either side of the hooker.
Exception: A team must have fewer than eight players in its scrum when either the
team cannot field a complete team, or a player is sent off for Foul Play, or a player
leaves the field because of injury.
Even allowing for this exception, each team must always have at least five players in a
scrum.
If a team is incomplete, the scrum formation must be as follows:
If a team is without one player, then both teams must use a 3-4 formation
(i.e. no No.8).
If a team is without two players, then both teams must use a 3-2-1 formation
(i.e. no flankers).
If a team is without three players, then both teams must use a 3-2 formation
(i.e. only front rows and locks).
When a normal scrum takes place, the players in the three front row positions and the
two lock positions must have been suitably trained for these positions.
If a team cannot field such suitably trained players because:
either they are not available, or
a player in one of those five positions is injured or
has been sent off for Foul Play and no suitably trained replacement is available, then
the referee must order uncontested scrums.
In an uncontested scrum, the teams do not compete for the ball.The team putting in the ball
must win it. Neither team is allowed to push the other team away from the mark.
Front rows coming together. Each prop touches the opponent’ s upper arm and then pauses
before the front rows meet.The sequence should be: crouch, touch, pause, engage.
No wheeling. A team must not intentionally wheel a scrum.
Penalty: free kick.
If a wheel reaches 45 degrees, the referee must stop play. If the wheel is unintentional, the referee
orders another scrum at the place where the scrum is stopped.
WRU ruling, the ball is thrown in by the team that previously threw it in.
Maximum 1.5 metres push. A team in the scrum must not push the scrum more than 1.5
metres towards their opponents’ goal line.
Penalty: free kick.
Ball must be released from scrum. A player must not intentionally keep the ball in the
scrum once the player’ s team has heeled the ball and controls it at the base of the scrum.
Penalty: free kick.
