Can my child play up or down an age group?

Regulation 15 expects children to play in their own age grade with their school-year peers. Playing out of age grade is the exception and needs approval before it happens.

Combining age grades (team level, only when a club or school hasn't enough players for a team)

• Under 7 and Under 8 can play and train together.
• Under 9 can combine with Under 10, and Under 10 with Under 11: no more than 3 of the older players on the pitch.
• Under 11 can combine with Under 12 (boys' game): no more than 3 Under 12s on the pitch.

Playing up (individual)

• Under 7s may play with Under 8s only.
• Otherwise no child plays up before Under 12. From Under 12, boys may play up one age grade; girls can't play up outside their two-year age band.
• At Under 9 to Under 11, the only exception is a child permanently educated in the school year above their age grade, who can apply to play in that year's age grade.
• Under 11 girls can play in the girls' Under 12/Under 11 band.

Playing down (individual) is allowed only in limited, exceptional circumstances: the child is in a younger school year than their birth year, or their safety may be at risk because of small stature or a developmental or behavioural issue. It lasts for the whole season, in every setting.

How it's approved: a standard RFU risk assessment, the online POOAG application, and sign-off from a parent, the club's Age Grade Chair and the Constituent Body (county). Allow up to 10 days. The opposition must be told at least 24 hours before the match.