Having considered the situation the Age Grade Committee of the North Midlands RFU have decided that the rules as published relating to the U17/U18 Cup and leagues will remain in place until the 1st January when we will revert to the RFU Regulation 15 arrangements. It is to be noted that Regulation 15 is in place to allow one or two advanced players to ‘play up’. The requirements of the regulation must be met in detail.
Originally it was suggested that we could not go far wrong were we to follow the RFU guidance on playing up at this age but, after consulting with a number of those involved in age grade rugby, we have revised our opinion. There are a number of good reasons why we should currently stick to the rules as published.
- The last competitive rugby played by current U16’s was when they were U14’s.
- Current U16’s, if playing now as such, will be playing to U15 laws until January.
- All players will be short of training / coaching / playing time and, as such, perhaps more likely to ‘do it wrong’ in contact situations.
- I appreciate that there may be, very few, players who could, subject to the strict interpretation of Reg 15, be permitted to play up but it is a real concern that pressure due to the lack of player numbers in the older age grades may lead to others who are not so talented / physically mature appearing in the sides.Should a side find themselves tight for numbers there is the RFU ‘Game on’ system that should be employed.)
In friendly games Regulation 15 may be adhered to.
Thank you,
M D T Sampson, Chairman North Midland Age Grade Committee