Tournament Regulations

• Group Games »
• Knock Out Games »
• Number of Players & Substitutions »
• Ball Sizes »
• Insurance »
• Age Groups »
• Proof of Age »
• Team List »

• Players Uniforms »
• Before a Match »
• Protests »
• Cautions & Sending-Off Offences »
• Yellow cards are not accumulated »
• Behaviour Conduct »
• Referees »
• Teams That Do Not Appear »

Group Games

The teams are divided into groups where all the teams will meet in a pool stage. Three points will be awarded for a win and one point for a draw.

If two or more teams have the same number of points, the order will be decided as follows:

1. Result of match between teams with equal points
2. Most tries scored in tournament
3. Team with the greater points difference
4. Or further still by the toss of a coin (At Tournament Committee’s Discretion)

Knock Out Games

Please note at this stage of the tournament all teams revert back to equal status, with the exception of any bans, which run into the knockout stages. All knock out games will be decided by the team who scores the most tries in the match. Should a draw occur in the playoff / knockout stages the match will be decided as follows;

1. The team who scores the first try of the game
2. Should there be a no score tie, then the match will be decided by the toss of a coin
3. If there is a draw in the final and the two teams cannot be separated the teams will then share the trophy

Number of Players Per Team & Substitutions

The number of players per squad is not restricted, as we want to encourage participation at all levels. Rolling substitutions are permitted i.e. a player who has been replaced can return to the field an unlimited number of times. The only restriction to substitutions is that there may be no more than seven substitutes in a match to prevent teams changing their whole team. The only exception to this is the replacement of injured front row players and this cannot exceed three replacements and must be for injury not tactical reasons. Teams found breaking these rules will forfeit the match at the group stages and will be eliminated from the tournament at the knockout stages.

Ball Sizes

• Under 8 & 9 = Size 3
• Under 10 to 13 = Size 4
• Under 14 to 16 = Size 5

Insurance

Please make sure that all your players are insured both on and off the playing field. Team Tours Direct does not carry any group insurance protecting participants in case of injury, illness, theft or damage to property. Team Tours Direct is in no way responsible for injury or economic loss which may arise in the case of war, warlike events, civil war, revolution or civil disturbances or because of the actions of the authorities, strikes, lockouts, blockades or similar events. Participants from countries that have no medical insurance agreement with Great Britain must have personal medical insurance. Please note as per Team Tours Direct terms and conditions, Team Tours Direct cannot be held responsible for adverse weather conditions, which could result in cancellation of fixtures by third parties.

Age Groups

The following dates are the qualifying dates for each of the age groups in the tournament. Teams are reminded that the age groups in Scotland and Ireland are different to those in the other home unions. Teams from Ireland who use 1st July qualifying date will be given dispensation to allow them to compete at the below age groups whilst Scottish teams must use the below dates to qualify for a particular age group.

• Under 16 Boys born 1st Sep. 1992 and after
• Under 15 Boys born 1st Sep. 1993 and after
• Under 14 Boys born 1st Sep. 1994 and after
• Under 13 Boys born 1st Sep. 1995 and after
• Under 12 Boys born 1st Sep. 1996 and after
• Under 11 Boys born 1st Sep. 1997 and after
• Under 10 Boys born 1st Sep. 1998 and after
• Under 9 Boys born 1st Sep. 1999 and after

Proof of Age

Each team must submit a list of players to the Team Tours Direct administration before their first match in the tournament. All players MUST be able to identify themselves and to certify their age with a valid passport or registration card from their respective rugby union. Teams must be able to present this proof if and when required.

Team List

All players on the team list are considered as if they have participated in the tournament and may not represent any other team in the tournament without permission of the Tournament Directors. Random controls of team list and participant’s list will be carried out.

Players Uniforms

If the referee decides that one team should change shirts due to similarity to the opposing team’s shirts, the team appearing second in the playing schedule must change.

Before a Match

All teams must be ready at the pitch side no later than 10 minutes before kick-off. The teams are responsible for their supporters conduct and any misconduct will be reported to the relevant rugby union.

Protests

The team manager must make any protest and no other member of your team or supporters. No protest will be given any consideration unless the relevant procedures are applied. Protests must be delivered to the Tournament Control Point no later than 30 minutes after the match is finished. The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with the play are final. No measures will be taken on protests on decisions made by referees. The final decision of the organising committee is binding and final.

Cautions/ Sending Offences

Any player given two Yellow cards in a single Match will result in a Red card. If a player is shown a red card he or she is automatically suspended from participation in the following match. The tournament organising committee can decide about suspension for further game(s). A player who receives two red cards in the tournament will be automatically eliminated from the tournament.

Yellow cards are not accumulated

Severe offences will be reported to the Rugby Union in respective countries

Behaviour Conduct

Team managers are advised to control the behaviour of their team both on and off the field. Teams should play fairly on the field and within the correct spirit of the game – remember that winning is not everything and that the tournament is there to be enjoyed by everybody. Proper conduct off the field is also important and remember that you are representing your club/ region. Improper conduct will be viewed negatively by the committee and in some cases could result in your team being withdrawn from the competition.

Referees

Referees are qualified officials within their respected country and regions. Teams should be made aware of the following – Team Tours Direct hold their match officials in very high esteem and without these individuals we would not have a tournament to participate within. Please ensure that respect is given to all match officials regardless of the outcome of your fixture. We will in no way tolerate in any way disrespect given to match officials and disciplinary action will be taken against any teams or individual who repeatedly disrespect the tournament officials.

Teams That Do Not Appear

Any team not appearing at the appointed time and place for a match without a valid excuse will automatically lose the match. If a team repeatedly fails to appear for fixtures, the team may be excluded from the tournament. In special cases, the tournament committee may decide to exclude a team at the first offence i.e. if a deliberate act of not appearing favours their own team or is unfair to another team in the group. If any team is excluded from the tournament previous results will be void.