Tens variations
World Rugby · 2026The rugby union format with smaller teams and rolling replacements.
Teams and match duration
Tens permits at most 10 players per team on the field. A team may nominate up to 5 replacements, although organisers may vary the number nominated or used. Rolling replacements may occur at any time, with the incoming player entering at halfway after the outgoing player leaves. Matches last 20 minutes in halves of up to 10, plus time lost, but organisers may vary the duration. Half-time is at most 2 minutes. Required extra-time follows a 1-minute break, in periods of up to 5 minutes with ends changed without an interval; the first score wins.
Kicks, discipline and scrums
Conversions and penalty goals are drop-kicks taken within 30 seconds; opposing players assemble near their own 10-metre line for conversions. Yellow-card suspension lasts 2 minutes. The team that scores restarts with a drop-kick; kick-off infringements specified in the variation lead to free-kicks. Each scrum has 5 players: a front row of props and a hooker, with locks behind. All remain bound until the scrum ends and may not detach to play the ball; the scrum-half plays it to end the scrum. Penalties and free-kicks may be punts or drop-kicks, but not place-kicks.
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