What law variations apply in U13, U14 and U15 boys' rugby?

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The boys' Age Grade Law Variations for U13 to U15 have no new laws for 2026/27, apart from the changes marked new below. U13 (S1) U14 (S2) U15 (S3) Team size 13 v 13 15 v 15 15 v 15 Pitch Full Full Full Game time Max 45 minutes Max 60 minutes Max 60 minutes Ball size 4 4 5 Tackle Waist and below, no targeting the ball Waist and below, no targeting the ball Below the base of the sternum Scrum 6 v 6, both hookers can strike, max 0.5m push, 9 must pass, no No. 8 pick-up 8 v 8, both hookers can strike, max 1m push, No. 8 can pick and pass 8 v 8, both hookers can strike, No. 8 can pick and pass Lineout Uncontested, hooker + at least 4 Uncontested, hooker + at least 4 Uncontested, hooker + at least 4, lifting allowed Restart after a try Scoring team kicks Scoring team kicks Conceding team kicks At all three ages: Full scoring applies (try 5, conversion 2, penalty 3). A conversion after a try in a wide channel can be taken anywhere on the 15m line. Hand-offs are allowed, but never to the head or neck (penalty). Swing tackles are banned (penalty). Full World Rugby breakdown laws apply. All open-play kicks are allowed, including 50:22s. New: the defending 9 can't pass the middle of the scrum until the ball is out. New: a kick-off caught on the full in your own 22 can be marked for a free-kick.

	U13 (S1)	U14 (S2)	U15 (S3)
Team size	13 v 13	15 v 15	15 v 15
Pitch	Full	Full	Full
Game time	Max 45 minutes	Max 60 minutes	Max 60 minutes
Ball size	4	4	5
Tackle	Waist and below, no targeting the ball	Waist and below, no targeting the ball	Below the base of the sternum
Scrum	6 v 6, both hookers can strike, max 0.5m push, 9 must pass, no No. 8 pick-up	8 v 8, both hookers can strike, max 1m push, No. 8 can pick and pass	8 v 8, both hookers can strike, No. 8 can pick and pass
Lineout	Uncontested, hooker + at least 4