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Last updated: Dec 17th, 2025
In this blog, we’ll guide you through the key rugby regulations you need to know before your next school rugby tour, whether you’re heading to the UK, South Africa, or beyond. We’ve broken down the essential rules and guidelines to make your planning smooth and stress-free, so you can focus on what really matters – playing the game.
The RFU regulations limit the maximum playing time (for matches and training) per day by age group. Please plan your inclusions accordingly:
From U12 upwards, boys play single-age-grade rugby. Playing up one age grade is permitted by the Age Grade Code of Practice.
Conversely, from U12 upwards, girls play joint-age-band rugby (U14, U16, and U18). Combining age bands for the girls’ teams is not permitted by the Age Grade Code of Practice.
Rugby Canada runs eligibility from September to August, so touring UK teams will keep their UK age group.
Rugby Canada limit how many minutes can be played per day by age group. This is for matches and training, so plan your inclusions accordingly:
There is a maximum age difference of 2 years per playing group – this can be extended to 3 years in specific scenarios.
Required Documentation for Touring Canada
The Fédération Française de Rugby (FFR) run eligibility from January to December, so touring UK teams need to comply with FFR age categories.
UK players born between September and December will be classed as an age group higher than in the UK when in France – therefore so will the whole squad.
There must be a 72-hour gap between any 2 games played by the same player. If you opt for a 5-day tour you will only play 1 fixture.
Required Documentation for Touring France
The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) run eligibility from January to December, so touring UK teams need to comply with IRFU age categories.
Players can only play a game and a half (relative to the players age), within a 48-hour period:
Players can play up one age grade in accordance with the IRFU policies for age grade rugby.
Required Documentation for Touring Ireland
The FIR follow the age grade rules laid out by World Rugby (two-year “age window” and not play in a competition more than three years above their age)
UK players born between September and December will be classed as an age group higher than in the UK when in Italy.
Required Documentation for Touring Italy
The South African Rugby Union (SARU) run eligibility from January to December, so touring UK teams need to comply with SARU Age categories.
UK players born between September and December will be classed as an age group higher than in the UK.
There is a maximum age difference of 2 years per playing group – this can be extended to 3 years in specific scenarios.
Required Documentation for Touring South Africa
Whilst some destinations do not have rules set by their local association, all tours must still conform to RFU regulations (or those of the school / clubs national governing body)
The RFU regulations limit how many minutes can be played per day by the age group. This is for matches and training, so plan your inclusions accordingly.
From U12 upwards, boys play single age band rugby. Playing up one age grade is permitted by the Age Grade Code of Practice.
From U12 upwards, girls play joint age band rugby. These are U14, U16, and U18. Combining age bands is not permitted by the Age Grade Code of Practice.
Now you know the rules, it’s time to get set for your next unforgettable school rugby tour. Get in touch with our team today to see how we can make this tour your best yet!