Rugby · Laws of the Game
Law 23: Under-19, 10s and Game-on Variations
2 parts · 2 tests · 20 facts · updated 28 October 2026 · markdown
Besides sevens, the laws allow variations for younger players, for the 10-a-side game and for community rugby. Law 23 sets out the under-19 and 10s variations and the Game-on options, which are aimed at the lower end of the community game, where recruiting and keeping players is a challenge.
An under-19 match lasts 70 minutes, in two halves of not more than 35 minutes plus time lost, and no extra-time is permitted. Under-19 scrums have their own rules: an eight-player scrum must be set 3-4-1, with the single player shoving on the two locks; pushing more than 1.5 metres towards the opponents' try line is a restricted practice; a scrum unintentionally wheeled through more than 45 degrees is reset, and intentional wheeling is penalised. In 10s, each team has no more than 10 players in the playing area and may replace any number of players at any time, entering at the half-way line once the departing player has left.
Game-on lets matches have fewer than 15 players a side, with a minimum of 10 and equal numbers, allows size 4, 4.5 or 5 balls for adults, and asks for games of at least 40 minutes. The facts below cover these variations, including rolling replacements, tapped penalties, marks and lineouts.
23.231Under-19 and 10s
Under-19 match length and scrums, and 10s numbers, time and replacements.
Test 1Under-19 and 10sTake a test
An under-19 match lasts 70 minutes, two halves of not more than 35, plus time lost.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law variations - Under-19, Law 5.1 · recall
No extra-time is permissible in under-19 rugby.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law variations - Under-19, Law 5.1 · recall
Pushing the scrum more than 1.5 metres towards the opponents' try line is a restricted practice.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law variations - Under-19, Law 19.38g · recall
The scrum is reset when it is unintentionally wheeled through more than 45 degrees.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law variations - Under-19, Law 19.34c · recall
Intentionally wheeling the scrum in under-19 rugby: penalty.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law variations - Under-19, Law 19.38i · applied
In 10s, each team has no more than 10 players in the playing area.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law variations - 10s, Law 3.1 · recall
A team may replace any number of players at any time, entering at the half-way line after the player has left.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law variations - 10s, Law 3.6 · recall
Under-19 eight-player scrums must be 3-4-1, the single player shoving on the two locks.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law variations - Under-19, Law 19.6a · applied
14, 20, 70 and 80 minutes.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Variations, Law 5.1 · recall
5, 6, 7 and 8 players.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law variations - Under-19, Law 19.6d · recall
23.232Game-on
Community options: numbers, balls, time, rolling replacements, taps, marks and lineouts.
Test 1Game-onTake a test
They target the lower end of the community game, where recruitment and retention are challenges.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Game-on variations · recall
Matches may have fewer than 15, with a minimum of 10, and teams must be equal.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Game-on, Law 3.2 · recall
Community adult players may use size 4, 4.5 or 5 balls.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Game-on, Law 2.4 · recall
Games should last at least 40 minutes, split into equal halves, quarters or thirds.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Game-on, Law 5.3 · recall
Players may return as long as they are not injured; there is no limit on interchanges.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Game-on, Law 3.34 · recall
In the opponents' half, the penalty or free-kick must be tapped and played immediately.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Game-on, Law 20.8 · applied
Besides kick-offs and restarts, Game-on bars a mark from an attacking kick from within the 22.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Game-on, Law 17.4 · recall
Match organisers may determine that teams should not lift and/or contest in the lineout.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Game-on, Law 18 · applied
Game-on allows sizes 4, 4.5 and 5.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Game-on, Law 2.4 · recall
It must be tapped and played immediately.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Game-on, Law 20.8 · recall
Questions people ask
- How long is an under-19 rugby match?
- Seventy minutes, in two halves of not more than 35 minutes each, plus time lost. Extra-time is not permitted in under-19 rugby.
- How are scrums different in under-19 rugby?
- An eight-player scrum must be 3-4-1, and pushing more than 1.5 metres towards the opponents' try line is restricted. A scrum unintentionally wheeled through more than 45 degrees is reset, while intentional wheeling is a penalty.
- What is 10s rugby?
- A variation with no more than 10 players per team in the playing area. Teams may replace any number of players at any time, with the replacement entering at the half-way line after the other player has left.
- What is Game-on rugby?
- A set of optional variations for community rugby, aimed at the lower end of the game where recruitment and retention are challenges. They allow smaller, equal teams, smaller balls and flexible match formats.
- What is the fewest players a Game-on team can have?
- Matches may have fewer than 15 a side, but the minimum is 10 and both teams must be equal.
- Are rolling substitutions allowed in Game-on?
- Yes. Players may return as long as they are not injured, and there is no limit on interchanges.
- What changes at penalties and lineouts under Game-on?
- In the opponents' half, a penalty or free-kick must be tapped and played immediately. Match organisers may also decide that teams should not lift or contest in the lineout.
Sources
World Rugby Laws of the Game, Rugby Union 2026, Law 23 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the law book, not reproduced)
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Law variations - Under-19, Law 5.12
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Game-on, Law 2.42
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Game-on, Law 20.82
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Law variations - Under-19, Law 19.38g1
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Law variations - Under-19, Law 19.34c1
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Law variations - Under-19, Law 19.38i1
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Law variations - 10s, Law 3.11
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Law variations - 10s, Law 3.61
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Law variations - Under-19, Law 19.6a1
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Variations, Law 5.11
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Law variations - Under-19, Law 19.6d1
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Game-on variations1
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Game-on, Law 3.21
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Game-on, Law 5.31
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Game-on, Law 3.341
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Game-on, Law 17.41
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Game-on, Law 181