The boys are looking forward to rugby fixtures this term and have been training hard for the start of the season with the first matches this Wednesday. The 1st XIII have a round robin tournament against Papplewick & Horris Hill here at Woodcote. All parents are very welcome.
As many of you will be aware IAPS have been engaged in a consultation process with the RFU over the last 18 months where we were able to express the views of our member schools and offer our opinions on how we felt the game should be played. The process of consultation about the New Rules of Play has now passed and the RFU have made their decisions about how the game of rugby will be played under their laws in both clubs and schools.
Please see below for a summary of the new laws
| Age Group | Numbers | Format Progression | Positional Transition | Split | ||
| Under 8 | 5 or 6 a-side maximum | Tag | ||||
| Under 9 | 7 – side maximum | Introduce Contact – Tackle | ||||
| Under 10 | 7 or 8 a-side
maximum |
Introduce maul and ruck, contested contact area 2 vs 2, introduce scrum | Introduce 3-player scrum | 3/5 | ||
| Under 11 | 8 or 9 a-side maximum | Introduce Tactical and restart kicking, contested contact area (3vs3) | Introduce additional ‘back’ | 3/6 | ||
| The Under 12 and 13 Rules continue to be developed in the RFU pilot counties but will be close to the following: | ||||||
| U 12 | 11 or 12 | Contested contact area (unlimited numbers) | Introduce second row and additional back | 5/7 | ||
| U 13 | 13-a-side | Contested Scrum – | Introduce No 8 | 6/7 | ||
Due to the new laws, this season will be somewhat of a learning experience for all schools and we ask for your patience on the touchline as the players, coaches and referees are adapting to these changes.