The game is played between teams of twelve players, five forwards, and seven backs.

Start from the centre of the field with a kick-off. Players on the kicker's team must be behind the ball until it has been kicked and the receiving team must be at least 7 metres back from the ball.

Any player who has the ball and is on their feet can be tackled as laid down in the Laws of the Game.

Any tackle level with or above the armpit is to be considered a high tackle and should be penalised. A 'scrag' type tackle (i.e. swing a player round by the shirt) is to be considered dangerous play and should be penalised.

The tackler and the tackled player should be encouraged to get away from the ball immediately. If the ball is not playable immediately after a tackle, a scrummage is awarded. The scrummage is awarded to the team designated under Laws 21 and 22 of the Laws of the Game.

In all other situations, the Laws of the Game of Rugby Union Football apply with the following exceptions:

At a scrummage the locks forming the second row must bind to each other with their inside arm and with their outside arm around the hips of the front row props. The scrum-half not putting the ball in must remain behind the off-side line (the hindmost foot) until the ball has emerged from the scrummage. In the event of a strike against the head, the scrum-half who has put the ball into the scrummage must not follow the ball until it is out.

Under no circumstances is (a) the scrum to be pushed more than 1.5 metres or (b) wheeled more than 45 degrees. In case (a) a free pass will be awarded against the side which pushed the scrum at the original spot and in (b) the scrummage will be reformed.

At a line-out - the line-out will be made up of two, three or four players from each side plus the player throwing the ball in and the latter's immediate opponent who must stand within the 2 metre area and one player from either side in a position to receive the ball (i.e. scrum-half). Both the thrower-in and his immediate opponent are able to take an active role in the game as soon as the ball has been touched by one of the players contesting the line-out. A quick throw is NOW permitted.

The line-out will extend from 2 to 10 metres from the touch line and the ball must be thrown INTO the line-out. Lifting is not allowed and a player may not bind to a jumper until they have returned to the ground.

The off-side line for all players not taking part in the line-out will be 7 metres back from the line of touch to the goal-line and they must remain there until the line-out has ended.

A penalty will be awarded for joining a ruck or maul from an off-side position.

Following a penalty being awarded the game will re-start with a penalty kick. At all penalty kicks, the offending team must retire 7 metres towards their own goal line from the place where the penalty kick is awarded.

If the ball is not playable immediately after a tackle, a scrummage is awarded.

All Laws of the Game pertaining to kicking in open play will apply, except that players may not kick the ball other than out of their hands. Fly hacking is not permitted (note: dribbling with the ball is allowed). A penalty is awarded for fly hacking.

After a try has been scored, the team can attempt to convert the try into a goal. The kick at goal will take place from anywhere in front of the posts.

After a try or goal has been scored, the game will re-start with a drop kick from the centre of the field.

After any stoppage not covered in the Rules, the game shall re-start with a scrummage to the team who were moving forward, or, if neither team were moving forward, by the team who were last in possession of the ball.

No fly-kicking

No hand-off/fend-off