Competition rules

Playing conditions

Games shall be played according the standard laws of rugby union, incorporating IRB amendments relating to Sevens rugby and age group rules adopted by the RFUW.

In particular teams should note that:

• Conversions shall be taken by means of a drop kick
• After a score, the team scoring shall restart
• All matches shall be seven minutes each way - and may be reduced in length on safety grounds at the discretion of the referee (ie. if teams are significantly mis-matched, or if the risk to injury is increased due to player fatigue).

IMPORTANT NOTE: All referee decisions shall be final and cannot subsequently be changed. If an error is made by any match official over any rule, law or actuality, or the interpretation of any rule or law, then the game shall continue as if the error had not been made and any score, or subsequent score, shall stand. No attempt should be made to deliberately “correct” an error by any person either later in the game or afterwards, and no appeals will be entered into on such matters after a game.

Other tournament rules

• While squads may be of any size, they will be assumed to contain ten players. There will only be sufficient programmes, etc. - and winners’ medals! - for that number.
• In pool games, four points shall be awarded to a winning team, and two points each if the game is drawn. A try scoring bonus point will be awarded to any team scoring four or more tries in a game, and a losing bonus point to any team losing by seven points or less.
• The organisers may, at their discretion, award a bonus point to reward examples of good sportsmanship, such as the lending of players to other teams to cover injury (provided they are not from the same club).
• The organisers also reserve the right to deduct competition or match points for breaches of the Code of Conduct or other poor sportsmanship by players or club officials if reported by referees or other tournament officials.
• Pool ranking shall be decided on the basis of (in order) a) competition points; b) results between the team/s tied on points; c) most tries scored; d) fewest tries conceded; e) points difference. If teams are still level then places shall be decided by a kicking competition (see below).
• Knock-out games tied at the end of normal time shall continue with one period of two minutes sudden-death (first to score wins) overtime with teams defending the end they were defending at the end of normal time. If teams are still level then the game shall be decided by a kicking competition (see below).
• Kicking competition. Each player finishing the game (or seven nominated players in the case of pool placings) shall take a drop kick at goal from any point on the field. Players from each team will kick alternately. All players other than the kicker shall stand behind the 22. The competition will continue until (after the same number of kicks have been
  taken by each) one team has scored more goals than the other.
• The organisers’ decisions on the interpretation of these rules, or on any other relevant matters not covered by these rules, shall be final.

Injuries

If an on-field injury delays play for more than five minutes the game shall be abandoned and the score at the time of the abandonment shall stand.

If the injury delays the start of any subsequent matches then – if practical – in the U17 competition a half sized pitch shall be marked out and play shall continue on that pitch until the injury is treated. If that is not possible – or if the injury happens in a U14 game – subsequent matches shall transfer to the other pitch. Games will then run for five minutes each way
until the injury is treated and cleared.

Replacements

Teams may make up to two tactical substitutions in each game, but may make more than two if any subsequent replacement is required owing to injury.

Replacements should – in the first instance - come from the team’s own squad. However, if this is not possible - and the replacement is required owing to injury - then teams may “borrow” players from any other squad regardless of whether the “borrowed” player has played before in the competition, or intends to play again.

Teams are encouraged to lend players if requested - but when lending a player coaches should ensue that they do not breach the IRB rule limiting players to 90 on-field minutes in any one-day tournament.