The following Variations are applicable to Club Youth Rugby matches in England, and to all matches played in the Colts League under the Colts League Competition Rules & Regulations.
UNDER 16 TO UNDER 19 INCLUSIVE:
Rolling Substitutions - Law 3.12 : A Player who has been substituted may replace any Player, whether or not that player has been injured. Players may be exchanged at any time during the match, when the ball is dead, and with the knowledge of the Referee.
Number of Players – Law 3.5 "COLTS LEAGUE VARIATION" : iRB Under 19 Variations Law 3.5 is not applicable in Colts League Rugby; although adhering to law 3.5 is preferable should the minimum number of front and second row replacements not be available the game can proceed with up to the maximum of 7 replacements who may play in positions other than the front five.
Temporary Suspension Sin bin Protocol – Law 10 : As per the adult game the Player will remain in the Sin Bin for ten minutes actual playing time. The Player will stand out of the field of play, in the vicinity of the half way line, at a place readily identifiable to the Referee. The Player must be under the control of the Coaches. The Player should not be isolated and should be given warm clothing to wear whilst serving the temporary suspension.
Squeeze Ball - Law 14 and 15 : No player involved in a match at any age level from Under 19 downwards shall use in training or in a match the technique known or referred to as Squeeze ball. This includes all Players in any Colts League Match, thus extending this law variation to specifically include Under 19’s Players.
Note: ''Squeeze ball'' is a technique where the ball carrier goes to ground, head forward (touching or close to the ground), irrespective of immediate contact with opponents usually keeping parallel to the touchline, holding and protecting the ball close to the chest and, when on the ground, pushes the ball back between the legs.
Penalty: Penalty Kick Time – Law 5 : Playing time not to exceed 35 minutes each way. After 70 minutes of playing time the Referee must not allow extra time to be played in the case of a drawn match on any occasion.
Scrum – Law 20 : 20.1 (f) In an 8 person scrum the formation must be 3-4-1, with the single player (normally the Number 8) shoving on the two locks. The locks must pack with their heads either side of the hooker.
Exception : A Team must have fewer than eight players in it’s scrum when either 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 the 3-4 formation
(ie : No Number 8).
If a Team is without two players, then both teams must use a 3-2-1 formation (ie : No Flankers).
If a Team is without three players, then both teams must us a 3-2 formation (ie : Only front Row & Locks).
When a normal scrum takes place, the players in the three front row positions and the two locks must have been suitably trained for these positions. If a team cannot field such suitably trained players: either they are not available, or they have been injured, or they have 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.
No Wheeling - A Team must not intentionally wheel a scrum.
Penalty : Penalty Kick.
Maximum Wheel - 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.
No Handover on Wheel - There is no handover following a wheeled scrum at Under 19. The original Team putting the ball in retains the put in.
Maximum 1.5 metres push - A Team in a scrum must not push the scrum more than 1.5 metres towards their opponents’ goal line.
Penalty : Free Kick
Ball release 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
The iRB Under 19 Variations can be found "here"
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