Age grade rugby players aged 17 or below are not automatically eligible to play adult rugby. As per Regulation 15, to become eligible to play adult contact rugby, 17-year-old players must be assessed as capable of playing with adults.

Coaches, parents and players must understand the process and the assessment of capability that must take place, and the process for gaining formal CB approval.
Transition to adult rugby is lead by the U18’s coaches, not the senior teams or parents.

Club Responsibilities:

1. Captains, Vice Captains, Coaches and First Aiders / Physios within the senior adult teams must complete the RFU safeguarding e-learning and hold a club or RFU approved DBS certificate. The DBS and any appropriate qualifications must be visible on their personal GMS profile
2. Club officials / Youth Committee members must ensure relevant adults (i.e those listed above) have the correct roles within GMS and are visible within senior team structures on GMS
3. AS a child approaches 17, U18’s head coach will approach any parent and child who it is felt would be capable of playing adult rugby and have a discussion about the proposition.
4. If both the child and parent(s) is/are happy to proceed the formal RFU assessment of capability should take place. The assessment takes into account any representative rugby played by the child, the child’s physicality and emotional maturity and is an overall measure of the childs’ ability to safely play in an adult environment.
5. All U18’s players who are going through the process will be informed that their priority is to play for their U18’s team in league and cup matches.
6. Once CB approval is agreed, the senior team managers / captains will be informed of any available players (see team selection)
7. Any U18 player who agrees to play senior rugby must inform the U18’s team manager / head coach so that adequate rest days can be arranged. NO child can play consecutive days rugby for Selby RUFC.
8. Senior teams should not have direct communication with children and should always ensure consent from parents.

Team Selection

Priority order for selection is 1st XV, U18’s, 2nd XV, 3rd Xv and then 4th XV

First XV should always have 15 players plus the maximum number of allowable subs
Second XV should always have 15 players and up to 3 subs
Third XV should have 15 players
Fourth XV should have 15 players
U18’s should have 15 players plus the maximum number of allowable subs
Spare available U18’s should be shared equally between 2/3/4th teams with priority given to away matches

Consultation & Policy Development
Developed by Nikki Keep – CSO SRUFC, Andy Bennett Director of Rugby SRUFC, Andrew Wood 3rd /4th Team Representative, Will Stoker and Jack Coates Youth Coach Coordinators SRUFC

Consultation Group : Coach Coordinators, Team Captains 1/2/3/4 teams, Head Coaches Senior Teams, Head Coaches U18’s Boys and Girls

Version 1.0, Adopted September 2025, Review Date September 2027