Youth Rugby

Following direction from the IRB, the IRFU has recently implemented a new age grade structure, with U19, U17, U15 and U13 structures taking effect from the start of the 2009-10 season in all 4 provinces.

With this in mind, the women's Youth game will now operate an Under 19 and Under 16 structure. These will be based on a 1st January birth date (Eg. U19: born in 1991,92 or 93 and U16: born in 1994, 95 or 96).

As age grade rugby enters its fourth season in Ulster clubs, the game is now being played by 8 clubs across the province at either U19 or U16 level or both. The significant development work in schools over the past few years has resulted in a successful system being put in place for developing the future of women's rugby.

Youth League

Five teams will compete in this year's League, playing in a series of home and away matches. Malone will be trying to emulate last season's performance, which saw them win the league in a very closely contested final against Letterkenny.

1. Donegal
2. Malone
3. Enniskillen
4. Letterkenny
5. Virginia

Youth Cup

Last season saw the introduction of a cup competition which was set up with the aim of providing competition from January to April, as well as providing matches for new teams or those not ready to enter into the League at the beginning of the season.

Click here to download a copy of the U19 Laws

Click here to download a copy of the U16 Laws

Adult Rugby

There are currently seven adult teams in Ulster, five of which play in the All Ireland League and are at vaious stages of development:

1. Cooke
2. Belfast Harlequins
3. Carrickfergus
4. City of Derry
5. Cavan

6. Queens *
7. Ballymoney *

Queens and Ballymoney are development teams and it is hoped that both clubs will grow throughout the coming season and gain regular competition to enable them to progress further.

The All Ireland League will run from September to January, with the Provincial Cup/ All Ireland Cup running from January to April.

Click here to download a copy of the Women's Rugby season guide for clubs

Click here to download a copy of the IRFU Women's AIL and Cup regulations

Ulster Rugby Development Officers are out and about in schools across the province this month, talking to pupils about this year's Summer Camps and the new Easter 'Taster' sessions taking place in April

The I.R.F.U. and Ulster Rugby, in association with Setanta College are delighted to announce that a fitness workshop will be held in the Ravenhill Grounds on the 24th of March

Foyle and Londonderry College have beaten Grosvenor Grammar School by 28 points to 7 in the final of the Northern Bank Schools' Bowl. Match report to follow