U12 Girls: Rules

One matter not mentioned in the report (below) on Monday's Women & Girls county meeting was that RFUW have made a decision on how girls rugby below U15 level should be played.

Things are slightly complicated by the fact that RFUW does not directly legislate for U12s as girls (and boys) of this age come under the RFU's Continuum (which covers mixed rugby up from U7 to U12 levels). However, it is reasonable to assume (and advised) that clubs offering U12 rugby next season should attempt to abide by the RFUW's recommendations.

These can be summarised as follows:

• Teams (girls only or mixed) are restricted to a TWO year age span, in accordance with the continuum.
• Mixed sex games should be played to the standard Under 12 ("midi rugby") rules, as at present
• Girls-only U12 games should be played to Under 10 rules

While it is appreciated that this may cause some confusion the reasoning seems to be that...

• Under 10 rules are aimed at smaller teams - 9-a-side instead of 13-a-side - and clubs and clusters may find it easier to put together smaller teams
• Under 10 rules are simpler and will also make it easier to integrate and play new players alongside experienced girls

The details of the different rules can be found in the RFU Continuum, but in summary...

Girls-only games ("U10 rules"):	Mixed sex games ("U12 rules"):
9 players per side	13 players per side
3 forwards, 6 backs	6 forwards, 7 backs. No 8 cannot pick up from base of scrum
5 points for a try - no conversions	5 points for a try, 2 for a conversion
Play begins with free pass	Play begins with a drop-kick
Penalties by free pass. No quick penalties	Conventional penalty rules
Contested 3-player scrums	Contested 6-player scrums
2-player contested line outs - no lifting	4-player contested line-outs - no lifting
Size 4 ball	Size 4 ball
Daily playing limit - 60 minutes (no match longer than 30)	Daily playing limit - 70 minutes (no match longer than 40)
No kicking	Kicking allowed
No hand-offs	No hand-offs
No fly hacking	No fly hacking