“RULES and REGULATIONS”
Players
Players’ Age Groups are taken as at 1st September 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, no club may play an overage player in the competition, for any reason, unless they have special Eastern Counties dispensation – this will lead to immediate disqualification.
However, clubs may field players from the age group immediately below (i.e. – Under 16 teams may field Under 15 players, but not Under 14s), provided the club has followed correct authorisation processes.
Squad Size – there is no maximum (or minimum) squad size for cup matches. Clubs to communicate numbers to opposition, to allow a meaningful game. Rotating Substitutions are allowed. Where a club is short of 15 players, the game should go ahead, with the opposing club reducing numbers on the pitch to equalise. In accordance with RFU regulations, all members of a nominated squad must play half a game, except in injury, safety or safeguarding situations. It is expected that clubs will select all fit and safe members of their age grade squad. Where clubs have large numbers, they are encourage to enter a “B” squad, even if this results in teams playing short. “B” teams may enter competition, and where entered (and appropriate for level of competition) a club must ensure that such team shall consist of players who would normally be expected to play for that team. Where a club enters a “B” team, the club, at the commencement of the competition, should nominate 15 “A” team players who are ineligible to play for “B” squad
All players must be bona fide members of the club who have paid their club subscription for the current season, and have already played regularly for their club, either in seasons 2021/22 or 2022/23, not having played for another club in a cup competition in the current season. Players need to have been registered with their club 21 days prior to the match; county cup organiser to have authority to suspend this rule in appropriate cases.
Team Managers should exchange team sheets with their opposition manager prior to the start of the game. Games must be played with equal numbers (except in case of yellow or red cards at U15 & U16)
Front Row Forwards– clubs should aim to have at least 4 forwards capable and suitably trained to play in the front row. If a club is unable to field a replacement at any time, the game will continue with uncontested scrums, and the final result will stand.
Competition Dates
Games to be played on the nominated Sunday, or (with agreement of both clubs) earlier in the same week. Games may only be rearranged for weather related reasons, and must be played on “orange weeks” in the Eastern Counties / RFU Playing Calendar. Games should not be cancelled or rearranged for School activity.
Jurisdiction
All games will be played under IRB Laws appropriate to the Age Group involved.
Length of Matches
Under 14s – 25 Minutes each way, excluding stoppage time
Under 15s – 30 Minutes each way, excluding stoppage time
Under 16s – 35 Minutes each way, excluding stoppage time
Under 14s should play with a size 4 ball; Under 15s and Under 16s with a size 5 ball.
High Scoring Matches
If and when a 50 point differential in scores is reached in a game, the game will be considered won and lost at that point. The game may continue at that point under agreement between both clubs, however the result will be recorded as a 50 point difference.
Concessions
Where a side is unable fulfil a fixture, they will be deemed to have conceded the match by 20 – 0.
Referees
Clubs are asked to ensure that their Club Referee Co-ordinator appoints a qualified and appropriately experienced referee to each game. Conscious of the difficulty that Referee Societies may have in appointing to youth matches on a Sunday, the referee may be a member of the home club, provided he / she is not involved in the coaching / direct management of the team involved or a parent of a player (unless graded level 9 or better).
Scoring and Qualification
In Round Robin games :-
4 points for a Win
2 points for a Draw
1 point for losing by less than 7 points
Notification of Results
All results should be notified to Chris Allen, Youth Competition Manager, by email/text by no later than 9pm on the Monday immediately following the date of the game.