Adult Player Registration
From the 2024/25 season, all players in all formats of the game (including non-contact), will be required to register themselves annually to play rugby for RFU member clubs.
Players will register using their Game Management System (GMS) account and clubs will approve or deny their registration. This is in accordance with RFU Regulation 13 and 14.
In previous seasons, player registration has been done by clubs on behalf of their players.
Players who have never been registered with a club in England can register via their GMS account once they have created one. The Club Registrar will then accept the registration and the player will be eligible to play for this club.
If a player is currently registered with a different club than the one they wish to play for in the upcoming season, the Club Registrar can request the transfer of the player.
If the transfer request is approved by the player’s current club the player will transfer to the new club.
Being ‘Club Registered’ allows individuals to play at Men’s Level 9 and below and Women’s Level 5 and below.
Players in Men’s Level 1 to 8 and Women’s Level 1 to 4 will need their registration to be uplifted to ‘RFU Registration’.
The type of RFU Registration a player needs depends on the competition and leagues that their club competes in.
Club Registrars will uplift players for ‘RFU Registration’ which will then be sent to the RFU for approval. Based on the league, players may need to attach, review or sign documents to support their registration.
Players aged 17 who are registered to play age grade rugby are not automatically eligible for adult rugby and must complete the Adult Player Registration process.
RFU Regulation 15.6.1 states that a player can play adult contact and non-contact rugby, or train with other adults in contact and non-contact rugby, when they reach their 17th birthday provided:
- They have been assessed as capable of playing with adults,
- The RFU Playing Adult Rugby Form has been completed and signed,
- The player does not train or play in the front row of the contested scrum. Once a player has reached the age of 18, they can play in any position.
