How to Build a 10s Rugby Team: Your Squad Plan for the APR Games 2027
From the first group chat to the Memorial Day Weekend kickoff in Las Vegas: how to recruit, balance, register, train and travel as a 10s rugby team.
Want to build a 10s rugby team and bring it to Las Vegas? Good — because the best part of the APR Games 2027 is not watching from the stands. It is turning up with your own crew, your own plan and your own story. This guide walks you through every step of putting a 10s team together, from finding your first ten players to the evening of the finals on Memorial Day Weekend, May 29–31, 2027.
10s rugby sits between sevens and fifteens. It keeps the set piece and the contact that forwards love, but it opens up enough space for backs to run. That middle ground is exactly why it suits club teams, social sides, former college players and groups of friends who have played together on and off for years. If you are new to the format, start with our explainer on what 10s rugby is and how the APR Games format works, then come back here to build the squad.
- On the field: 10 players a side, usually 5 forwards and 5 backs, in two 20-minute halves.
- Squad size: World Rugby's 10s law variation allows up to five replacements, so plan for 13–15 players. APR's exact squad limits will be confirmed with player registration.
- Must-haves: a front row that can scrum safely, a goal kicker, two genuine speedsters, and a captain who runs the logistics.
- Paperwork: get every player registered with USA Rugby in Rugby Xplorer early — it is how US clubs stay compliant and insured.
- Cost: APR player entry is $299, which includes the official team jersey, a full kit bag, at least three guaranteed pool games, opening-night access and a player profile.
- Next step: join the waitlist so you hear first when registration opens.
Step 1: Decide What Kind of Team You Are Building
Before you message a single player, answer one question honestly: why are you going? A team built to win the Men's Elite title needs a different plan from a team of old teammates who want a great weekend in Las Vegas and three competitive games. Both are welcome at the APR Games. The mistake is building one and pretending it is the other.
The APR Games 2027 has three divisions, which you can see on the divisions section of the APR Games page:
- Men's Elite — the top competition, with $10,000 in prize money ($6,000 for the winners, $3,000 for second and $1,000 for third).
- Women's Social — $5,000 in prize money ($3,000 / $1,500 / $500), built for women's club and social teams who want serious rugby in a welcoming setting.
- Youth — age-appropriate formats with medals and trophies and no entry fee.
Write your answer down and share it with everyone you invite. It sets expectations about training, selection and minutes on the field. A "we want to compete for the purse" team will pick on form. A "we want everyone to play" team will rotate. Either is fine, as long as everyone knows which one they joined.
Step 2: Understand the Numbers — 10 on the Field, a Squad Behind Them
World Rugby publishes an official law variation for 10s. It says each team has "no more than 10 players in the playing area during play," that a team "may nominate up to five replacements," and that "match organisers may vary the number of replacements a team may nominate and/or use." It also allows a team to replace any number of players at any time, with players coming on at the halfway line. In other words, 10s is built for rolling changes.
That gives you a natural target: 10 starters plus up to 5 replacements = a squad of up to 15. APR's own squad sizes and replacement rules are not yet published — they will be confirmed with player registration — so treat 15 as your planning ceiling, not a promise. In practice most organizers find 13 or 14 committed players is the sweet spot: enough to cover injuries and fatigue across a weekend, few enough that everyone gets meaningful minutes.
| Format | Players on the field | Scrum | Match length | Typical squad |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sevens | 7 | 3 per side | 2 × 7 minutes | 12 |
| 10s (APR Games) | 10 | 5 per side | 2 × 20 minutes | 13–15 |
| Fifteens | 15 | 8 per side | 2 × 40 minutes | 23 |
Why does the scrum column matter so much for building a team? Because in 10s, according to World Rugby's variation, "a scrum must have five players in two rows from each team" — two props and a hooker in the front row and two locks behind them. That front row is the single hardest part of your roster to fill, and the part you cannot fake. More on that below. For a full breakdown of what every shirt does, read 10s rugby positions explained.
Step 3: Build Your Roster Around the Spine
Good 10s teams are not ten generalists. They are built around a "spine" of specialists, with versatile players filling the gaps. Recruit in this order:
1. The front row (props and hooker)
Scrummaging is a specialist, safety-critical skill. You want at least four players who can play in the front row — ideally two props, one hooker and one player who can cover both. If a team cannot field trained front-rowers, most laws and competitions move to uncontested scrums, which is a poor experience and can affect results. Recruit your front row first, even before your best athlete.
2. The locks and lineout
With only five forwards, your two locks are your lineout, your restart receivers and much of your carrying. Look for height, good hands and a high work rate. One lock should be comfortable calling the lineout.
3. The halfback pair
Your scrum-half and fly-half run the game. In 10s, with a bit more space than fifteens, the fly-half's decision-making is huge. Ideally one of them also kicks goals — conversions matter in close pool games.
4. The speed
Every 10s game opens up at some point, usually late in each half when legs are tired. You need at least two genuinely quick players in the back line who can finish from distance and cover the backfield in defense.
5. The utility players
Finally, fill the bench with players who cover two or three positions: a back-row forward who can play lock, a center who can play wing, a scrum-half who can slot in at fly-half. Utility is gold when you are on your third game of the weekend.
| Role | Starters | Cover in a 14-player squad | What to look for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Props | 2 | 1 | Scrum experience, strength, stamina in short bursts |
| Hooker | 1 | 1 (can be a prop) | Scrum and accurate lineout throwing |
| Locks | 2 | 1 (a back-row type) | Height, hands, work rate, a lineout caller |
| Scrum-half | 1 | 1 utility back | Fast, accurate pass and quick decisions |
| Fly-half | 1 | (same utility back) | Game management, kicking, calm under pressure |
| Centers | 1–2 | — | Strong carries, reliable defense |
| Wings / fullback | 2–3 | 1 | Raw pace, finishing, backfield cover |
Step 4: Where to Find Players
Most 10s teams are built from a mix of three groups. Use all of them.
- Your current or former club. The easiest recruits are people who already know your calls. Message the club group chat, then message players individually — individual invitations get far more yeses than group posts.
- College alumni. More than 1,000 US colleges field rugby teams, so there is a deep pool of former college players who stopped after graduation and miss the game. A 10s tournament in Las Vegas on a holiday weekend is the perfect excuse for a reunion side.
- Crossover athletes. Former football, basketball, soccer and track athletes often thrive in 10s, especially out wide. Pair them with experienced rugby players and invest in teaching them the contact basics safely. Our guide on how to start playing rugby as an adult in Las Vegas is a good thing to send them.
If you are in Southern Nevada, the five founding APR franchises are the obvious place to start: the Vegas Blackjacks — founded in 1976 and billed as Las Vegas's oldest sports club — plus the Vegas Lions, Vegas Kings, Vegas Knights and Downtown Rugby. You can meet all of them on the APR teams page and in the teams section of the APR Games site.
Step 5: Appoint a Captain and a Team Manager
The single biggest predictor of whether a pickup squad actually makes it to a tournament is not talent. It is organization. Split the jobs:
- Captain — runs selection, the game plan, warm-ups and the huddle. Speaks to the referee on match days.
- Team manager — owns the roster, registration deadlines, payments, travel and the group chat. Ideally this is someone who will not be distracted by playing every minute.
- Coach (if you have one) — USA Rugby requires coaches to complete its safety and coaching requirements; for example, World Rugby Level 1 certification is required for coaches who teach contact, along with SafeSport training and a background check. If your team is part of a club, your club coach probably already has these.
Put the team manager's name and the deadlines in a pinned message. "Who is paying for what, by when" is the question that breaks more teams than any defeat.
Step 6: Get Registered the Right Way
American rugby runs on USA Rugby registration. According to USA Rugby's current policies (effective February 2026), registration and electronic rosters are managed through Rugby Xplorer, and "all players on both teams in any game must have a current active registration with USA Rugby to that team." The old practice of paper rosters with "CIPP numbers" is described as outdated. USA Rugby also explains that accident coverage applies at sanctioned events where all members of the team are registered.
For a club team, being a "compliant" club in Rugby Xplorer means the current year's fee is paid, at least eight players are registered to the club, and at least one appropriately compliant coach is registered. USA Rugby also has a pathway for one-off "motley" teams at sanctioned Senior Club and Collegiate events. Exactly how APR will handle rosters will be confirmed with player registration — but you lose nothing by getting every player registered now. It is the single most common thing that holds teams up the week before a tournament.
Got your ten? Get on the list.
Player entry is $299 and includes your official APR Games team jersey, a full kit bag, at least three guaranteed pool games, opening-night access and your own player profile on americanprorugby.com. Join the waitlist to hear first when registration opens.
Step 7: Budget Like a Team, Not a Group of Individuals
The APR Games player entry is $299 per player, and it is more than a fee: it includes the official APR Games team jersey, a full kit bag, a minimum of three guaranteed pool games, opening-night access and a player profile on americanprorugby.com. Youth teams play with no entry fee. On top of entry, a traveling team should budget for:
| Cost line | Who usually pays | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| APR player entry ($299) | Each player | Set an internal deadline two weeks before the official one. |
| USA Rugby registration | Each player (and the club) | Check your state or club's current fee in Rugby Xplorer. |
| Flights or fuel | Each player | Memorial Day Weekend is busy — book early. |
| Accommodation | Shared | Group rooms or a rental house split four to six ways. |
| Food, water and recovery | Shared kitty | Collect a small team kitty for water, ice and snacks. |
| Team extras (warm-up tops, signage, merch) | Team or backers | Optional — see the sponsorship tips below. |
A simple rule: collect money into one place, managed by one person, with a shared spreadsheet everyone can see. Transparency kills arguments. If you want team-branded extras on top of the included jersey, have a look at the APR merch store.
Step 8: Find Backers for Your Team
Plenty of club teams cover travel costs with help from local businesses, family and friends. Offer something real in return — a shout-out on your team's social media, a logo on a warm-up banner, or a team photo with the business owner. Keep it simple and honest, and check any competition rules before putting logos on match kit.
A few of the businesses that back the APR Games are relevant here. If a teammate is launching a business, Giftabiz lets friends, family and community send gifts and video messages to a business launch through a shareable page — a nice way for the team to back one of its own. And if your club is opening a clubhouse or partnering with a sports bar, American LED Signage handles club and venue signage.
Step 9: Train Like a 10s Team
A 10s team that trains together for even six or eight sessions will beat a more talented group that meets for the first time at the hotel. Focus on what makes 10s different:
- Repeated efforts. Two 20-minute halves with space on the field means lots of high-speed running, followed by contact, followed by more running. Our 8-week rugby training plan for 10s is built around exactly that, and starting it in early April 2027 lines it up for late May.
- A simple set piece. Five-player scrums and short lineouts. Have two or three lineout calls you can execute in your sleep, not ten you half-know.
- Defensive connection. With ten defenders covering the width of a full pitch, communication beats size. Practice a simple line speed call and who covers the backfield.
- Core skills. Catching, passing and support play win close pool games. Our Tuesday Skills series is a free, structured way to sharpen them: start with the spin pass, then catching and hands ready and the pop pass under pressure.
- Discipline. In World Rugby's 10s variation a yellow card is a 2-minute suspension rather than 10 — but two minutes a player down in 10s is costly. APR's sin-bin length will be confirmed with registration. Brush up on how yellow and red cards work.
Want expert input? The APR Coaching Clinic runs May 28–31, 2027 in Las Vegas — a great option for captains and coaches who want to bring new ideas back to the team. See the details in the Coaching Clinic section.
Step 10: Plan the Weekend in Las Vegas
The APR Games runs on Memorial Day Weekend, May 29–31, 2027, with evening kickoffs under floodlights. The current published schedule looks like this:
| Day | What happens | Team tip |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, May 29 | Opening ceremony 6 PM, exhibition 7:30 PM, social 9 PM | Arrive by midday, walk through, light team run, then enjoy opening night together. |
| Sunday, May 30 | Pool games (evening) | Hydrate all day, eat early, keep the afternoon quiet and out of the sun. |
| Monday, May 31 | Youth final 4 PM, Women's Social final 6 PM, Men's Elite final 8 PM | Recovery morning, then come back to watch or play the finals. |
Late May in Las Vegas is hot — average highs are around 90°F — which is exactly why the games are in the evening. Still, plan for the heat: carry plenty of water, keep your team out of the midday sun, and listen to the match officials and medical staff. World Rugby's updated heat guidelines use a Heat Stress Index that can trigger extra cooling breaks when conditions demand it.
For hotels, restaurants and where to celebrate after the final whistle, APR sponsor Luna Appleton publishes guides on where to stay, eat and go out in Las Vegas. If you want to know why we chose the city in the first place, read why Las Vegas is the perfect home for pro rugby in America.
Step 11: Build the Team Culture
Rugby teams that travel well share a few habits. They pick a team name and an identity early. They have a group chat with clear rules (logistics in one thread, banter in another). They welcome new players properly — a new winger from a football background will remember who passed them the ball in their first game. And they look after each other off the field, which in Las Vegas on a holiday weekend matters as much as anything you do on it.
Fuel and recovery are part of that culture. Encourage players to eat well, sleep and hydrate between games. APR partner Clann13 is our athlete nutrition partner — talk to a qualified professional about what is right for you before changing your routine.
Finally, give the weekend a story. Every APR Games player gets a profile on americanprorugby.com, so encourage your teammates to fill theirs in. Ten years from now, that profile — and the official APR Games team jersey that comes with your entry — will be how you remember the weekend your team came together. If you want to know more about the kits themselves, read rugby jerseys explained and the five APR team kits.
A 6-Month Team-Building Timeline
| When | Milestone |
|---|---|
| November–December 2026 | Decide your goal and division, name a captain and team manager, join the APR waitlist. |
| January 2027 | Recruit your front row and locks first, then backs. Aim for 16–18 "interested" names. |
| February 2027 | Get everyone registered with USA Rugby in Rugby Xplorer. Collect a deposit to confirm commitment. |
| March 2027 | Confirm 13–15 committed players. Book travel and accommodation. |
| Early April 2027 | Start an 8-week training block with weekly team sessions. |
| May 2027 | Lock in set-piece calls, confirm the final roster and plan your Las Vegas schedule. |
| May 29–31, 2027 | Play the APR Games. |
APR registration dates have not been announced yet, so treat this as a planning guide and keep an eye on the APR newsletter for official dates.
Common Mistakes When Building a 10s Team
- Recruiting backs first. Fast players are easy to find; trained props are not. Recruit the front row first.
- Carrying exactly ten players. One tweaked hamstring and you are short. Aim for 13–15.
- Leaving registration to the last week. Get Rugby Xplorer done early.
- Treating 10s like fifteens. There is far more space; fitness and defensive communication matter more.
- Ignoring the evening schedule. Plan meals, rest and hydration around evening kickoffs, not morning ones.
- Not agreeing the team's goal. "Win" and "everyone plays" are both valid. Pick one and say it out loud.
APR's view: the teams that have the best weekends are rarely the most talented ones. They are the ones that agreed early on why they were going, sorted the boring logistics in good time, and turned up as a team.
The APR Games is made possible by our partners. Please support the businesses that support American rugby.
Planning your team's trip? Luna Appleton covers where to stay, eat and celebrate in Las Vegas, and In Too Win works with Las Vegas businesses.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many players do you need for a 10s rugby team?
Ten players take the field for each team, usually five forwards and five backs. World Rugby's 10s law variation allows a team to nominate up to five replacements, so a full squad is up to 15 players. Most teams aim for 13 to 15. APR's exact squad sizes will be confirmed with player registration.
How many players are in a 10s scrum?
Five per team. World Rugby's 10s variation says a scrum has five players in two rows from each team: two props and a hooker in the front row and two locks in the second row.
How long is a 10s rugby game at the APR Games?
APR Games matches are 40 minutes long, played as two 20-minute halves, with evening kickoffs under floodlights in Las Vegas.
How much does it cost to enter the APR Games 2027?
Player entry is $299. It includes the official APR Games team jersey, a full kit bag, a minimum of three guaranteed pool games, opening-night access and a player profile on americanprorugby.com. Youth teams have no entry fee.
Do my players need to be registered with USA Rugby?
USA Rugby's policies say all players in a game must have a current, active registration in Rugby Xplorer, and accident coverage applies at sanctioned events where all team members are registered. APR's exact roster requirements will be confirmed with player registration, but registering early is the safest plan.
Can I enter the APR Games as an individual without a team?
Join the waitlist and tell us about yourself. Details on how individual players and teams register will be confirmed when registration opens. In the meantime, the five founding Las Vegas franchises are a great way to get involved.
What divisions are there at the APR Games 2027?
There are three: Men's Elite with $10,000 in prize money, Women's Social with $5,000, and Youth with medals and trophies. Youth divisions play age-appropriate formats.
When and where is the APR Games 2027?
Memorial Day Weekend, May 29 to 31, 2027, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The opening ceremony is Saturday at 6 PM, pool games are on Sunday evening and the finals are on Monday evening.
Which positions are hardest to fill on a 10s team?
The front row. Props and hookers need specific training to scrum safely, and you need cover for them. Recruit them first, then locks, halfbacks and speed out wide.
Are the players in the images real?
No. The images are illustrations of fictional players wearing the Vegas Blackjacks and Vegas Lions kits. They do not show a real match or result.
Keep Reading
Want more? Sign up to the APR newsletter, catch up on the latest rugby news, read what the APR Games is, or see how the pros do it in pro rugby in the USA. Questions about bringing a team? Contact us.
Sources
- World Rugby Passport: 10s law variation — Law 3 Team
- World Rugby Passport: 10s law variation — Law 19 Scrum
- World Rugby Passport: 10s law variations
- USA Rugby: Policies (effective February 2026)
- USA Rugby: Insurance
- USA Rugby: Coaching
This guide is current as of November 6, 2026. APR Games squad sizes, rules, registration dates and roster requirements will be confirmed with player registration. Images are illustrations of fictional players, not real matches. Contact us.