Who is allowed to play in the front row?

Laws of the Game (Law 3, 2026):

• Before the match, each team must tell the match official which players can play front row, and in which positions (loosehead, hooker, tighthead). When scrums are contested, only those players may play front row, and only in their listed positions.
• It's the team's responsibility to make sure every front-rower is suitably trained and experienced.
• Scrums become uncontested if a team can't field a suitably trained front row, or if the referee orders it. Uncontested scrums caused by a sending-off, a yellow card or an injury are still eight players per side.
• By default, a squad needs this many front-rowers. A match organizer can change these minimums for its competition.

USA Club Rugby age rule: players who are 17 or 18 (under 19) may not play front row in adult rugby without a waiver from USA Club Rugby. Coaches who allow it without a waiver can be sanctioned.