Updated: 29 April 2025
Summary
Teams can include up to 15 players, but only 12 players can play in any given match.
Unlimited rolling substitutions will apply throughout all of the competitions.
7 minute halves will be played in all matches including finals.
Teams should report to the pitch 5 mins before the start of each match.
The first team named in the schedule will kick off and the other team will choose the end of the pitch to receive.
General Rules
These rules (the “Rules”), including their interpretation, are matters for the Disciplinary Committee. The Disciplinary Committee will comprise of the Tournament Director, Head Referee and Fixtures Manager (or respective nominated deputies on their behalf) and, when available, the Judiciary Officer. The Disciplinary Committee will arbitrate on all matters concerning the Rules of the Tournament. The Disciplinary Committee will be convened only in the event of an official complaint being registered with the Tournament Director. In the event of any matters arising that are not covered by the Rules, or ambiguity of these Rules, the Disciplinary Committee shall make a ruling after interpreting the Rules in the best interests of the game. Its decision shall be final, without appeal.
Registration, Squad Size and Administrative Rules
1. A representative of each team must submit a Tournament Registration Form at least one hour before their first match.
2. A maximum squad size for the tournament of 15 players is in place. For each game, a maximum of 12 players will be permitted to play, seven (7) starting the game and five (5) substitutes. The extra non-playing players must wear their shirts inside out.
3. During the pool stages, Social teams can borrow players from other teams within the Social competition only. During the knock-out stages, borrowing of players may only be done with permission from the Tournament Director or their appointed representative.
4. Open teams cannot borrow players, except with consent from the Tournament Director or their appointed representative.
5. All teams should try and bring an alternative match shirt in case of a colour clash or be prepared to turn shirts inside out. The referee’s decision on what constitutes a clash is final.
6. In the Pool games 3 points will be awarded for a win and 2 points will be awarded for a draw and 1 point for a loss, 0 points will be awarded for a no show, abandonment or disqualification.
7. The final draw will be made available on the day of the competition.
8. All players must have adequate playing insurance through their team including travel insurance, if appropriate (standard RFU insurance is a minimum requirement).
9. The Organisers, their employees or their helpers cannot be held responsible for any loss, or damage, to any individual’s property or valuables. It is the responsibility of the Team Captain/Manager to make appropriate arrangements.
Playing Rules
1. Games will be played under World Rugby Laws variations for Sevens and any relevant RFU Law Variations for the 2024/25 and, from 1 July, 2025/26 seasons, including the Domestic Law Variation to reduce tackle height.
2. Games will start on time. Any teams not present on the pitch five (5) minutes will be deemed as a no-show and points awarded accordingly. The game will not be played if the teams arrive after five (5) minutes to avoid delaying further matches. Alternatively, the team that has arrived on time agrees to play the remaining time of the match as a friendly with the no-show points still being allocated.
3. The first team named in the schedule will kick off and the other team will choose the end of the pitch to receive. In case of doubt, the referee’s decision will be final.
2. In case of a drawn match in the pool stages, no extra time will be played and the result at full time will stand.
3. In the event of a knock-out stage match being drawn at the end of normal time, extra time will be played in accordance with World Rugby Laws, except no coin toss will take place and the team that kicked off first in the match will do so again from its initial starting end. There will be a 2-minute water break at the end of normal time.
In the event that after two (2) five-minute periods of additional time (with no water break between the consecutive periods), neither team has scored, the winner of the game will be decided by the toss of a coin between the two respective team Captains. The receiving Captain from the last restart will call the coin toss.
4. In the event of a team being unable to continue to field 7 players during a game, other than through sending-off, then the game is abandoned and:
(a) If a pool game, then the team that caused the game to be abandoned and points awarded accordingly.
(b) If a knock-out game, the other side goes through.
5. For a kick at goal after a try has been scored between the posts, where possible the kick will be made from behind in-goal so that the ball is more readily available for the restart of the game i.e. the ball is kicked towards the halfway line.
Match Officials and Substitutions
1. LIT Series will appoint suitably qualified referees to each match.
2. Each team must provide a Touch Judge for each of their games, except where Assistant Referees and/or Fourth Officials are appointed by the Tournament. Teams’ Touch Judges must keep up with play and fulfill any duties as instructed by the match referee. They may be a substitute player, in which case, they must wear a shirt or other clothing to sufficiently differentiate them from their on-field teammates.
3. In accordance with World Rugby Laws, referees are the sole judges of fact and law during a match. Abuse of match officials by players, coaches, staff or team supporters will not be tolerated and may result in a team’s disqualification.
4. Unlimited rolling substitutions will apply throughout all of the competitions. Substitutions must be made with the permission of the referee at a time when the ball is dead (not during live play and, for the avoidance of doubt, not after a penalty kick has been awarded).
5. All substitutes, coaches and support staff must stay within their designated technical area or, where one is not marked out, must stand next to the other team around the halfway line on the same side of the pitch.
Discipline
1. For persistent or deliberate fouls or other infringements, the Referee may issue a Yellow Card to dismiss a player to the Sin Bin for a period of two minutes.
2. If a player receives two yellow cards in one game, the player will automatically be given a red card and will be referred to the Disciplinary Committee.
3. If a player in a Tournament receives a yellow or red card they shall not be substituted for another player.
4. Should the Referee consider the infringement to be more serious, a player may be issued a Red Card; the player will be dismissed from the field of play and will take no further part in the game or any further games in the Tournament until the player attends a hearing held by the Disciplinary Committee. The Disciplinary Committee shall strive to meet promptly. Any hearing will be conducted in accordance with the Disciplinary Committee’s processes and all outcomes will be upheld during and after the Tournament.
5. Any serious breach of discipline shall normally be reported to the player’s Home Union as per normal disciplinary procedures.
6. Any disciplinary issues such as touch line or technical area breaches (e.g. swearing at match officials or unsportsman-like conduct), shall be dealt with severely and are likely to result in the deduction of one (1) or more LIT Series points from the team that committed the offence.
Series Points
Points for the final standings at each Tournament will be allocated to the LIT Series as follows:
In the event of two or more teams being equal on total Tournament points for the overall Open or Social Competition title, the highest placed team will be determined in the following order:
The points difference: Total Points Scored (across all 4 tournaments) minus Total Points Against (across all 4 tournaments).
The team that has scored the highest points total in all matches (across all 4 tournaments).
The team that scored the highest number of tries in all matches (across all 4 tournaments).
The team that concedes the least number of tries in all matches (across all 4 tournaments).
If the teams are still tied after all the above, the winner will be decided by the toss of a coin between the Managers of the concerned.