Can girls play up or down an age band?

Q: Can girls play up or down an age band?

Under RFU Regulation 15 (2026/27), girls play in two-year age bands, and playing up is mostly built into the band itself: Band Playing up Playing down Under 12/11 Not allowed Limited, exceptional circumstances Under 14/13 Not allowed Limited, exceptional circumstances Under 16/15 Not allowed Limited, exceptional circumstances Under 18/17 17- and 18-year-olds can play adult rugby (Regulation 15.7) Limited, exceptional circumstances A girl can't play up outside her band (for example, a girl in the Under 14 band can't play in the Under 16s). Under 11 girls can play girls-only rugby in the Under 12/11 band. Playing down is only allowed if you're in a younger school year than your birth year, or your safety may be at risk because of small stature or a developmental or behavioural issue. It's approved for one season and applies in all settings. How it's approved: a standard RFU risk assessment, the online playing out of age grade (POOAG) form, and sign-off from a parent and your club's Age Grade Chair and Constituent Body (or your headteacher or college principal). Allow up to 10 days, and the opposition must be told at least 24 hours before the match.

Question

Accepted Answer

Under RFU Regulation 15 (2026/27), girls play in two-year age bands, and playing up is mostly built into the band itself:

Band	Playing up	Playing down
Under 12/11	Not allowed	Limited, exceptional circumstances
Under 14/13	Not allowed	Limited, exceptional circumstances
Under 16/15	Not allowed	Limited, exceptional circumstances
Under 18/17	17- and 18-year-olds can play adult rugby (Regulation 15.7)	Limited, exceptional circumstances

A girl can't play up outside her band (for example, a girl in the Under 14 band can't play in the Under 16s).
Under 11 girls can play girls-only rugby in the Under 12/11 band.
Playing down is only allowed if you're in a younger school year than your birth year, or your safety may be at risk because of small stature or a developmental or behavioural issue. It's approved for one season and applies in all settings.

How it's approved: a standard RFU risk assessment, the online playing out of age grade (POOAG) form, and sign-off from a parent and your club's Age Grade Chair and Constituent Body (or your headteacher or college principal). Allow up to 10 days, and the opposition must be told at least 24 hours before the match.