As one of the success stories of Rugby League in the last two seasons, Wakefield Trinity are also continuing to lead as innovators at scholarship level.
They have agreed with four other clubs – Salford Red Devils, Bradford Bulls, Hull KR and Hull FC – to play fixtures under modified rules this summer, starting against Salford on Wednesday week (May 7).
The matches will be 10 players per team, and played in three periods of 30 minutes (each with a short half-time break after 15), with each club allowed to select from an unlimited number of players – allowing all fit players from their squads to have a decent amount of time on the pitch.
In addition, the rules will be amended with the onside retreat reduced to 7 metres, a maximum of two defenders in a tackle, no scrums, no conversions, and 20-metre tap restarts rather than kick-offs after tries – all to increase the focus on core skills and tackling technique.
Paul Anderson, the RFL’s Head of England Pathways, said: "I think Wakefield Trinity and especially their Head of Youth Ben Lazenby deserve recognition and congratulations for such an innovative approach – and also the other clubs who have agreed to trial these rules in their fixtures against Wakefield.
“The priority at scholarship level should always be on the development of skills, good habits and also enjoyment. We’ll be really interested to see what impact these changes have.”
Ben Lazenby said: “Last season I introduced this playing format to provide something different for the scholarship players to what they are regularly exposed to and becoming over-familiar with. We trialled two scholarship games and learnt so much about our players by challenging them in a different way.
“The format we devised is a very pure version of Rugby League that amplifies skill, speed and vision. With more space and adapted tackle scenarios it really exposes game understanding, emphasises the importance of quality contact in the tackle area and accuracy of execution of skill.
“I would like to thank the clubs who have agreed to play this format with us and hopefully they will see the benefits of a modified game format alongside the traditional 13 a side game. Ultimately scholarship is all about development, enjoyment and improvement and these playing opportunities give the chance for all scholarship players in each squad the chance to experience that”
The modified rules will be used in the following fixtures:
- 7th May 2025 Salford v Wakefield Trinity
- 25th June 2025 Bradford v Wakefield Trinity
- 9th July 2025 Wakefield v Hull KR
- 23rd July Hull FC v Wakefield Trinity
