Age Grade Updates

We are pleased to share this new guidance to help players to keep playing rugby in all the places that they want to.  This is especially aimed at players who will be playing in multiple environments and have the most demands on their time.

The contact training, match load and recovery guidance is not regulation.  The guidelines are there to provide principles and a framework to help coaches plan and design training sessions and schedule game time for these players that most effectively manages their contact load.

As ever, the most important thing is for everyone involved in the player’s rugby to work together and have regular dialogue that helps the player balance their training and playing time across the various places they play rugby.

The guidance and helpful FAQs can be found here(opens in a new tab).

The Summer Activity Framework continues during the age grade off-season.  This defines the only formats and amount of training and playing/fixtures that can take place at each age group month by month.  The July and August activities are as shown in the table.

A reminder also that, when planning your World Cup activities, the number of fixtures/festivals in August has been increased to four and touring teams from other Unions are welcome throughout August this year, as well as during the playing season.  Please note that the usual approvals still apply.

Please see the Summer Activity webpage(opens in a new tab) for the full information with links to the specific formats for friendly fixtures/festivals and loads of support to share with coaches, teachers, parents and players.

In partnership with Twinkl, we have uploaded more resources for teachers and parents.  These bring rugby union to life in a fun and engaging way for kids both the classroom and at home in the holidays.  While the focus is on our Red Roses and the womens game in this big year, everyone can get involved.

Take a look at what is available on the two links below:

https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resources/twinkl-partnerships/rfu(opens in a new tab)

https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resources/twinkl-partnerships/rugby-world-cup-2025