Law Changes 2025~2026
Age Grade Regulations for 2025/26
A small number of changes to Regulation 15 have been approved by the RFU Council. The attached document provides a summary of the things that have been updated.
The Regulation itself can be found on the Regulations pages here(opens in a new tab).
This, along with additional support information, is available on the About Age Grade Rugby page here(opens in a new tab).
Girls U18 Playing Calendar Update
Following feedback from stakeholders and additional detail about the Six Nations schedule in 2026, we have made some small updates to the Girls U18 Playing Calendar for 2025/26. With player welfare at the heart of the calendar, we believe this will ensure a better balance of load for U18 Girls playing in the performance level of the pathway, alongside their club and college/school activity, benefitting their teammates as well.
This also gives more stability in the PDG programme and therefore the players in relation to those also involved in Six Nations.
The changes are as follows and included in the updated calendar here (opens in a new tab):
Below are a list of useful links from the RFU & IRB
England Rugby strongly recommends that you should be qualified for the role you hold. If you are involved in Tag Rugby, this means you should have completed the Kids First Tag Rugby award. If you work in the U9-U11 age groups you should complete the Kids First Contact Rugby course. If you work at U12 and above you should complete the England Rugby Coaching and/or Refereeing Awards depending on your role. Team Managers should complete Play it Safe and First Aiders should take the England Rugby Emergency First Aid in Rugby Union course. Everyone, regardless of role, should complete the Headcase Concussion Awareness and Introduction to Safeguarding eLearning training annually.
RFU YouTube Channel
Activate U13-14 Phase 1
RFU YouTube Channel
Activate U13-14 Phase 2
RFU YouTube Channel
Activate U13-14 Phase 3
RFU Youtube Channel
Emergency First Aid in Rugby Union Training Videos
Spinal & Head Injury cards
CLICK ON THE CARD TO OPEN
2024~2025
Training Course Doccument
Coaching
Coaching is one of the most crucial factors in developing, sustaining and increasing participation in rugby union, securing the future and quality of the English game. To be an effective coach, you will need to fulfil a number of different roles, covering the technical, tactical, physical and mental aspects demanded by our game.
The RFU codes of practice is where the importance lies as well as Accreditation. Coaches need to be working towards best practice as much as possible and attenting RFU courses and staying up to date are vital to this.
There are a number of COACHING RESOURCES available from the RFU
Coaching Resources and e-learning modules
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Coaching Webinars
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Coaching Video Library
Becoming a DK Coach
In order to become a Coach at DK you will need to complete the following
RFU Concussion Online Module
DBS
Contact Mandy Platts
DownloadeLearning: Introduction to Safeguarding
CLICK THIS LINK TO GET STARTED
Codes of Practice
The Age Grade Codes of Practice provide practical support and best practice to those delivering the Age Grade game.
The Codes give practical advice on how to adopt a player-centred and holistic approach to rugby and support the application of Regulation 15.
There are seven codes in total, covering a number of topics ranging from playing and training frequency to the grouping of players and key information on player welfare.
If you are involved with Age Grade Rugby, read and commit to following the Codes of Practice. Then tell others about it. It's in the interest of our players and their livelong enjoyment of the game.
What Is a RugbySafe?
RugbySafe is England Rugby’s overarching player safety and wellbeing programme to support clubs, schools, colleges, universities and participants at all levels of the game. It has five different strands all of which contribute and provide input to how the game should be played and managed to ensure that rugby is as safe as possible.
Values & Culture
Provides information on how the embedding of the core values and creating a positive culture is a fundamental element to making the game fun and safe.
Playing Environment
Provides information, guidance and resources for clubs, schools, colleges universities and other rugby activity organisers on what needs to be in place and how provision and other aspects should be managed to enable a fun and safe playing environment.
ENGLAND RUGBY COACHES ASSOCIATION (ERCA)
The England Rugby Coaches Association is a community of coaches who hold a coaching qualification on their England Rugby GMS profile.
Membership of the England Rugby Coaches Association (ERCA) comes with digital ERCA cards recording coaches’ details.
ERCA members should ensure that their correct email address is submitted on GMS to receive full benefits.
Memberships last for one year and are retained by attending a minimum of one CPD course during that period. All coaches attending an England Rugby Coaching Award can join the association on completion of the award.
If you hold a qualification and wish to join the association simply attend an RFU CPD course to activate your membership.
Membership benefits include:
- 15% discount at England Rugby Store
- Exclusive range of ERCA training kit
- There is also a monthly ERCA newsletter, with training content and advice for aspiring coaches
- The opportunity to win VIP coaching experiences
For regular updates follow us on Twitter @ERrugbycoach and Instagram @englandrugbycoach and use #coachingfamily
Visit Page
Go KYBO! in 2019!
Top tips on how to get started as a rugby coach from Nick Scott, RFU National Coach Development Manager or as a rugby referee, with Michael Patz, RFU National Match Official Development Manager
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COACHING VIDEOS
Headcase
Welcome to HEADCASE, the RFU’s concussion awareness programme that aims to increase understanding and provide information on concussion and other related topics, including how to prevent and manage suspected concussions. It has been recognised as one of the leading concussion awareness and education resources in UK.
Welcome to Rugby Ready
Welcome to Rugby Ready - devised by World Rugby. The Rugby Ready programme is intended to raise awareness of good practice and help stakeholders manage the inherent risks of a contact sport by putting appropriate safeguards in place.
The Rugby Ready web site is a powerful online resource that you can register to use for free. You can use the site to build, refresh and test your knowledge of the physical aspects of the Game.
The self-assessment programme comprises 18 good-practice modules covering:
- Match preparation and physical conditioning
- Correct technique
- Injury prevention and management.
After completing the online Rugby Ready exam, you can download your personalised awareness certificate.
Registration is free and takes only a few minutes.
[CLICK THIS LINK]
First Aid In Rugby
World Rugby educational resource
Injuries are a part of any contact sport. Serious or life-threatening injury in Rugby is, however, rare. The outcome of many injuries can often be improved by very simple first aid skills from bystanders until emergency help arrives.
Such bystanders may be parents, club officials, coaches, referees or even other players. This online programme aims to equip with some of the basic skills you may need if you ever found yourself in such a situation.
Interactive module: First Aid In Rugby includes:
Introduction, General principles , Standard approach to injury on the field of play, Head injuries in Rugby Union, Managing the airway in an injured athlete, Neck and spinal injuries in Rugby Union, Breathing assessment and chest injuries, Circulation and shock, Cardiac arrest and choking, Limb injuries, Medical problems, Further information.
[CLICK THIS LINK]
World Rugby:
Training & Education
Player Welfare - Resources and guidelines on putting the player first
Strength & Conditioning - Learning resources supporting World Rugby's Level 1 and Level 2 Strength and Conditioning courses.
Keep Rugby Clean - Educational resources on World Rugby's Anti-Doping Policy
Officiating - Range of resources to support you in your officiating
Rugby Ready - Resource to raise awareness of good practice around the physical aspects of the game
Coaching - Online learning tools for all aspects of coaching the game
Keep Rugby Onside - Educational advice and support on World Rugby's Anti-Corruption Policy
Laws of the Game - Resources and support to help you understand of how the Laws are applied on the field of play
[CLICK THIS LINK]
World Rugby now wishes to innovate and inspire through participation, engagement, education and regulation, harnessing the sport’s character-building values to excite, engage and inform new audiences in existing and new rugby markets.
World Rugby Vision: Rugby - a sport for all, true to its values
World Rugby Mission: Growing the global rugby family
World Rugby Core Values: Inherent in everything we do are our values of integrity, respect, solidarity, passion and discipline.
