Frequently Asked Questions

Can I enter a team and then fill in the players names and details later?

Yes. Once you have registered your interest, you will be sent a unique username and password. This will enable you to access the site as frequently as you like. However please remember, it is extremely important to register your team players before 24th August 2009 in order to ensure that all of your players qualify for full RFU insurance cover. No player will be allowed to participate unless they are fully insured. If a team captain fails to cover this point the player will be barred at registration, they will not be allowed to replace the team member in the squad and will have to play the full tournament with diminished numbers. As such all team member details must be registered online by the 24th of August 2009 without fail.

How big are the pitches?

Contact: Contact teams play on a standard full size rugby pitch.

Touch: Touch teams play side to side on half a standard full size rugby pitch i.e. 2 touch pitches equate to 1 full size contact pitch.

How fit do I have to be to play?

Touch: People of all shapes, sizes, ages and fitness levels play in social and competitive leagues. Our tournament will suit beginners through to more experienced players. As it is a non contact version of the game, it really is open and accessible to anybody of any age wishing to play.

Contact: Being a shortened version of the game of rugby, this involves the same full contact as with 15 a side, so it is not recommended that anybody unfamiliar with the sport or not playing competitive rugby to a reasonable level on a regular basis participates. Based on last years competition, we believe the standard will be once again high, therefore teams are advised to field experienced rugby players.

How long are the games?

Contact: As the IRB rules, we will be playing 14 minute games, 7 minutes each half, with a 1 minute rest period in-between halves.

Touch: For this league competition we will be playing 20 minute games, 10 minutes, each half, with a 2 minute rest period in-between.

How many games will I get?

That will depend in part on whether you make it through to the finals! However with a league, rather than knockout, format, with a full compliment of teams, each team is guaranteed a maximum of 5 games with 7 if you reach the final.

How many players in a Team?

Touch: Each team will field 12 players from their company. There is no provision for specialist players, nor is there any rule as to the male/female composition of a squad. There will be six players on the field at any one time, 2 of which have to be female.

Contact: There are sevem players on the pitch for each team at any one time. Each team has the option to provide up to 12 players from the their company. Alternatively if preferred you can procure up to a maximum of 3 sevens specialists players to achieve a squad of 12. If a team only wants 1 or 2 specialists this is not a problem.

What does Contact mean?

This is the traditional, shortened version of the game played with just seven players on each side. Each game is played on a full size pitch, but is limited to just 7 minutes each half. The final runs for 10 minutes each half.

What is the male/female ratio in a Mixed Touch Team?

The rules of our competition state that there must always be a minimum of 2 female players per team playing on the field at any one time. However within the team of 6 players, you can have as many women as you like.

What is Touch Rugby?

Touch Rugby is very simple to play. It is a non-contact version of Rugby, played on a smaller pitch, with 6 players on the pitch for each side at any one time. The game is played "sideways" on half of a full size pitch. There is no kicking. Click here for full rules or click here to view an introduction to touch rugby video.

What sort of shoes do I need?

Touch: You can wear specialised touch shoes (with rubber cleats) or trainers. Please note NO screw-ins or metal studs are allowed, referees WILL be checking this. Players are also not allowed to play in bare feet.

Contact: Regulation footwear i.e. studded or bladed rugby or football boots.

Where does the money go?

RCUK Charity Sevens has been created to raise money for charity. This year our selected charity is, once again, Demelza. Hospice Care for Children.

Who can get involved?

RCUK Charity Sevens welcomes any UK company associated with the oil industry in either a direct service or supply category, who wants to field either a Contact or Mixed Touch team. Alternatively for them to be involved with the event in some other capacity by taking up one of the many great Sponsorship and Hospitality options available on the day and at the post-tournament Gala Dinner.

Who is RCUK Charity Sevens?

The RCUK Charity Sevens has been set up by James Haskell, England, Stade Francais and former Wasps Flanker, with a view of bringing together the worlds of rugby and business for a fantastic day of contact and mixed touch rugby in aid of charity.