U16 Girls quick guide
Where the Ulster Branch and IRFU rules differ, the Ulster Branch rules apply to league and cup matches.
Ulster Branch rules apply (competition)
- Age: born between 1 July 2010 and 30 June 2012 inclusive. The IRFU table lists U16 as born 2011 and 2012.
- Match length: two 30-minute halves plus time lost. No extra time.
- League points: 3 for a win, 2 for a draw, 1 for a loss. A team that fails to fulfil a fixture loses 1 point and the opponents get 3.
- Squad and format: up to 23 players named, with rolling substitutes. U16 is 15-a-side, with a minimum of 12 for a competitive fixture.
- Minimum numbers: below 12, the game can be played as a friendly. The team with enough players gets 3 points and the short team gets 1 (2 each if both are short). If numbers fall below 7 v 7 during a game, it continues as a friendly.
- Equal numbers: both teams play with the same number on the pitch and in the scrum. If a player is injured and there is no substitute, the other team takes a player off.
- Big margins: if the gap reaches 40 points at any time, the referee ends the match and the leading team wins. The losing team does not lose a point, and the remaining time can be played out as an evenly matched friendly.
- Yellow card: 5-minute sin bin at U16 when a Branch referee is in charge.
- Scrums: all clubs are encouraged to contest if their players are capable. After Christmas all clubs are expected to contest. Both teams must have the same number in the scrum (minimum 5, maximum 8).
- Lineouts: full lift allowed. After Christmas all clubs are expected to contest the lineout.
- Conversions: may be brought in to the 15m line.
- Rest gap: a player can't play at two age levels within 48 hours, or in more than two games at the same level within 48 hours (and no more than one half in one of them). The clock starts when she first takes the field, and school and representative games count.
- Playing up: a player born in the older age band needs approval under the Girls’ Youth Playing-Up Protocols. Under no circumstances should a player be playing outside her age threshold without approval.
- Team sheets: complete the E-Teamsheet on Rugby Connect and have a printed copy for the opposition and the referee before kick-off. Playing someone not on the sheet means forfeiting the fixture. A sheet not returned by 5pm the day after is a 1-point deduction (one warning first).
- Reporting: the home club submits the result via the Ulster Rugby link by 12 noon on the Monday after the match. The referee reports cards and serious injuries within 24 hours.
- Fixtures: the date shown is the deadline (Sunday 1pm kick-off). Clubs can agree an earlier date, and all changes and postponements must be emailed to both fixtures@ulsterrugby.com and girlsyouth@ulsterrugby.com. A postponed league game must be rearranged within 7 days.
- Home club duties: appoint the referee. Each team provides a touch judge who is not a substitute. Each team must host one non-traditional kick-off time at one home fixture.
IRFU rules apply (how the game is played)
- Ball: size 4.
- Maximum time: 60 minutes per match, injury time permitted. This is shorter than Ulster’s two 30-minute halves plus time lost, so Ulster’s time applies.
- Team size: up to 15-a-side, with equal numbers on both teams. 8 forwards and 7 backs.
- Tackling and handling: dangerous tackles (high, swinging or dump) are penalised immediately and the player warned. No hand-off to the face, and players should carry the ball in two hands.
- Rucks and mauls: the 5-second “use it or lose it” rule applies, and squeeze ball is not allowed.
- Restart and scoring: the match starts with a drop kick on halfway. Tries and conversions are scored, and kicking in play is allowed.
- Red card: the player is replaced.
Where Ulster and IRFU differ
- Age band: IRFU says born 2011 and 2012, while Ulster says 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2012. Ulster applies.
- Match length: IRFU says up to 60 minutes, while Ulster says two 30-minute halves plus time lost. Ulster applies.
- Team size: both say 15-a-side, but Ulster sets a minimum of 12 for a competitive fixture. Ulster applies.
- Yellow card: both give 5 minutes at U16.
- Scrums and lineouts: IRFU sets 8 players and the U19 law variations, while Ulster expects clubs to contest, and to contest the lineout after Christmas. Ulster applies.
- Conversions: IRFU says between the 15m lines, while Ulster allows them to be brought in to the 15m line. Ulster applies.
Summary only. The full documents are the official rules. For league and cup matches the Ulster regulations take priority.