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League Rules

Rugby Union

Squad size/Sports Centre membership

All Intramural Rugby Union squads must have a minimum of 25 players registered to participate in the league. All players must be Newcastle University Students & Sport & Fitness Centre members.

If a team fields non-Newcastle University students and/or non-Sports Centre members, the sanctions for that team will be as follows:

First offence

  • Lose the game 25-0
  • 3 point deduction
  • £50 fine

Second offence

  • Lose the game 50-0
  • 6 point deduction
  • £100 fine

Third offence

  • Lose the game 100-0
  • Expelled from the league

Fixtures

  • All fixtures, league tables and results can be accessed via League Table
  • All fixtures take place on a Tuesday evening, Wednesday afternoon and Thursday evening.
  • Fixtures kick off as follows: Tuesday - 16:30 & 18:30, Wednesday - 14:00, Thursday - 18:30.
  • All teams have access to the pitch for warm ups 30 minutes prior to kick off.
  • Matches must be played on the date, time and venue specified by the Intramural Sport Officer.
  • Matches should start at the time specified and no later than 5 minutes after the designated start time.
  • All games are 70 minutes in duration: 35 minutes each way, 5 minutes half time.
  • If a team fails to turn up or cannot produce a team of at least 12 players at kick-off, a 30-0 walkover is awarded to the opposing team. The team failing to show up will also have 1 point deducted from their league table score.
  • If a team fails to turn up to play on three occasions, they will be immediately withdrawn from the league, with no refund given.
  • Any team failing to show up for a fixture is also responsible for paying the full referee’s fee of £15.
  • If a team cancels less than 24 hours before the game, the non-cancelling team has the option of taking a 30-0 victory.

Results

Teams and players

  • Each squad shall consist of a minimum of 25 players including up to 10 substitutions. All 10 substitutes may be used and rolling substitutes are permitted.
  • All players should attempt to have three front-row positions and the two lock positions who must be suitably trained to play in those positions.
  • If a team cannot field trained front-row players, the fixture must be played with uncontested scrums.
  • During a game, if a front-row player is injured and no trained replacement is available, scrums must become uncontested.
  • If at any point during the game the referee considers the scrums unsafe, they have the authority to stop them and order uncontested scrums to ensure player safety.
  • Uncontested games will be played as a competitive fixture with full points allocation to the winning team.
  • Each team may include a maximum of 4 players who regularly represent the University 3rd or 4th team in BUCS competitions, either in the squad or on the pitch at any one time.
  • Players from the University 1st and 2nd BUCS representative teams are not permitted to play Intramural rugby.
  • The Sport & Fitness Centre reserves the right to censor team names.
  • The Sport & Fitness Centre operates an internal disciplinary procedure and reserves the right to impose suspensions, deducting of points and if required exclusion of players and / or teams.
  • Additionally, in line with our partnership with NRFU; any on pitch disciplinary procedures which require further investigation will be carried out by NRFU which may result in player/team suspensions and/or fines. All players/teams involved are responsible for paying any associated fines.

Substitutions

  • Each team shall consist of fifteen players and up to 10 substitutes. All 10 substitutes may be used and rolling substitutes are permitted.

Equipment

  • All jewellery and facial piercing must be removed before the start of the game.
  • Boots and studs must comply with World Rugby Regulation 12 (no sharp edges, burrs, or illegal studs).  
  • All players must wear rugby boots. No trainers allowed.
  • No jewellery, sharp objects, or non-compliant playing equipment.
  • Gumshields are strongly recommended.
  • Any item of clothing that is contaminated by blood must be removed or replaced immediately.
  • Protective equipment (headgear, shoulder pads) must be World Rugby approved (soft, max 12mm thick and uncompressed).

Venues

  • Cochrane Park and Heaton

Referees

  • It is the responsibility of the NRFC to appoint a referee for every fixture. If a qualified referee is not available, the game will be postponed and re-arranged at the earliest possible convenience.
  • All matters pertaining to the playing of the games will be guided by the rules, regulations and laws of the Rugby Football Union.
  • The decision of the referee is final and can not be overruled during a game. If you have a grievance against a decision or incident, the team secretary/captain needs to contact tom.brearley@newcastle.ac.uk 

Concussion

  • Any player suspected of having a concussion must be removed from the field immediately and may not return until they have received medical clearance.
  • The team captain must ensure that any player diagnosed with a concussion is not selected for fixtures until they have received medical clearance.

First Aid

  • A qualified first aider will be present at all games.
  • If no first aider is present, or if a player is not treated pitch-side, the team captain must ensure that any serious injury is reported to the Sports Development Officer within 24 hours. 
  • If a player is taken to hospital by ambulance, please ensure a teammate accompanies them where possible.
  • Captains/teammates are encouraged to check in regularly with any injured or concussed players and share any concerns with the Sports Development Officer.

Cancelling/rescheduling a fixture

  • If a team cancels less than 24 hours before the game, the non-cancelling team is entitled to claim a 30-0 victory.
  • Teams must inform the opposition team captain and Intramural Sport Officer (Tom Brearley) of their intention to cancel a fixture as soon as possible. Fixtures will only be cancelled and rescheduled if the opposition team captain and the Intramural Sport Officer agree.
  • If the opposition captain does not agree to cancel and reschedule a fixture, the fixture will have to be played as scheduled or conceded (walkover 30–0 victory to the non-cancelling team).
  • If a cancelled game (agreed by both captains) cannot be rescheduled within the set time period (end of term), a 30-0 victory will be awarded to the team who did not cancel the original fixture.

Cancellation policy for bad weather

  • The decision to cancel fixtures for bad weather will take place by 11:00 on the day of play. If the match is to be cancelled, the Intramural Sport Officer will contact the captains of each team.
  • It is the responsibility of the captain to keep all players updated on any cancellation or changes to matches.

Club colours

  • Teams must register the colour of its playing kit at the start of the season. The Sport Development Officer must be informed and consulted of any intention to change colours. Where there is the possibility of a clash, the home team (first team on the fixture list) must arrange for an alternative strip.

Scoring system

  • 4 points for a win
  • 2 points for a draw
  • 1 bonus point will be awarded if you score 4 or more tries or if you lose by a margin of 7 or less

Cup competition

  • Only registered players can play in the Cup Competition. When a cup match has resulted in a draw, extra time will be played - 2 x 5 minutes. If it is still a draw after extra time, the winner shall be determined by taking kicks from the middle of the 22 in accordance with the procedure adopted by the IRB.

League meetings

  • A meeting will be held at the beginning and at the end of every season. All teams must be represented. The nominated team secretary/captain, in the event of being unable to carry on, must appoint an acting team secretary. The Sports Development Officer must be informed of any such changes.

Contact

Tom Brearley, Intramural Sport Officer
Email: tom.brearley@newcastle.ac.uk