Under 13s

2025/2026 Season Fixture List

WRU Under 13s Pathway Laws

GENERAL:

Please be advised that the laws on this page are WRU Pathway Laws which are variations of some of the World Rugby Laws. If a Law is not outlined on this page please refer to the full World Rugby Laws

Age: Under 13 as on the first of September at the start of the season. A player may only play up one year.

Ball Size: Size four.

Coach Qualification: WRU Level one

Referee Qualification: WRU Level one Award

Pitch: Full pitch.

Periods of Play:

  • Two halves of up to 25 minutes playing time, maximum 50 minutes – no extra time

Scrum:

  • All scrums must follow the World Rugby process of crouch, bind and set
  • Eight person contested scrummage with 0.5m maximum push, no wheeling
  • Both hookers may strike for the ball
  • Both scrummages must be 3-4-1 formation
  • The number eight can pick up the ball from the scrum

Lineouts:

  • Full uncontested with lifting.
  • Only ten metre catch and drive allowed. Players are allowed to “ sack” the jumper in the lineout once that lineout jumper has landed on the ground and no maul has formed. This must be done immediately
  • The lineout ends when the ball is thrown, knocked or kicked out of the lineout, the lineout ends.
  • When the ball or a player carrying the ball moves into the area between the 5-metre line and the touchline, the lineout ends.
  • When a lineout player hands the ball to a player who is peeling off, the lineout ends.
  • When the ball is thrown beyond the 15-metre line, or when a player takes or puts it beyond that line, the lineout ends.
  • When a ruck or maul develops in a lineout, and all the feet of all the players in the ruck or maul move beyond the line of touch, the lineout ends.
  • If a maul formed at the lineout becomes unplayable, the game is restarted a scrum

Ruck:

  • When the ball is playable referees will immediately shout “Use it” and the attacking team will have 5 seconds to move the ball away from the contact area

Penalties:

  • Players may tap and run if a PK is awarded
  • A hand off to the chest is permitted. There will be no hand off to the face.

Tackle

  • As of July 2023 we are now playing under the new World Rugby Tackle Height directives