Thirteen players make one flexible team.

The rulebook and the role guide

Unless a variation is identified, the enforceable rules on this page come from the IRL 2026 International Laws of the Game, including the amendments implemented on 1 January 2026. The page covers the running, 13-a-side game; it does not apply the same player count to wheelchair, physical-disability, primary-age, nines, or another modified format.

The descriptions of running lines, kicking, organising, carrying, and defensive workload explain common modern practice. They are not laws assigning exclusive duties to a shirt number. A domestic league, international playing condition, or tournament regulation may also replace the baseline interchange or squad procedure.

How many players are on a rugby league team?

IRL Section 4, Law 1 (2026) says the 13-a-side game is played by two teams, each with no more than 13 players on the field at one time. Section 4, Law 3 groups the traditional numbered list into seven backs and six forwards.

• Backs, 1 to 7: fullback, two wings, two centres, stand-off or five-eighth, and scrum-half.
• Forwards, 8 to 13: two props, hooker, two second-row forwards, and loose or lock forward.

The 13-player ceiling is an enforceable count. “Back” and “forward” are also phase terms: the IRL glossary describes a back as a player not taking part in the scrum and a forward as a player packing in it. The labels therefore matter most to scrum formation; they do not restrict lawful ball skills or create fixed open-play lanes.

Numbers 1 to 13 at a glance

1. Fullback
2. Right wing
3. Right centre
4. Left centre
5. Left wing
6. Stand-off or five-eighth
7. Scrum-half
8. Prop
9. Hooker
10. Prop
11. Second-row forward
12. Second-row forward
13. Loose or lock forward

This list follows IRL Section 4 (2026). In Australian usage, number 7 is also commonly called the halfback; in British usage, number 13 is usually the loose forward, while “lock” is common in Australia and New Zealand.

Fullback: back-field cover and support

The fullback normally starts behind the main defensive line. In common modern tactics, number 1 tracks kicks, organises back-field coverage, returns the ball, supports line breaks, and joins attacking shapes as an extra runner or passer.

Those are conventional responsibilities, not a requirement to remain at the rear. A fullback may enter the attacking line, defend in the front line, move to either side of the field, kick, pass, carry, or play near the ruck if the team's system calls for it.

Wings and centres: the outside backs

Numbers 2 and 5 are the right and left wings under the IRL 2026 position list. Wings commonly finish wide attacks, chase kicks, take difficult early carries after a kick return, and help the fullback cover the back field.

Numbers 3 and 4 are the right and left centres. Centres commonly connect the halves to the wings, carry on an edge, make defensive decisions in wider channels, and create or close down space. “Right” and “left” describe the listed starting positions; teams can switch sides or move outside backs around during play.

The halves: stand-off and scrum-half

Number 6 is the stand-off or five-eighth, and number 7 is the scrum-half under IRL Section 4 (2026). Together they are commonly called the halves. They often organise attacking shape, receive the ball early in a play, choose where to pass, and provide much of the team's tactical kicking.

The labels do not make number 7 the only player who may feed a scrum or number 6 the only first receiver. The 2026 scrum law controls what the player putting the ball in must do, and the play-the-ball law recognises an “acting halfback”; either duty can be performed by an eligible player in the correct position for that phase.

Props: the middle forwards

The two props usually operate through the middle of the field. Their common work includes strong carries, completing tackles around the ruck, supporting other forwards, and helping the team control field position.

At a full six-player scrum, the props pack in the front row on either side of the hooker. That scrum formation is governed by IRL Section 12 (2026). Away from the scrum, the laws do not restrict props to short carries or central channels; they may pass, kick, support, or move wider like any other player.

Hooker: service from dummy half

Number 9 is the hooker. In modern play, the hooker is commonly the main dummy-half runner and passer: the player who moves behind the tackled teammate, collects the ball after the play-the-ball, and decides whether to pass, run, or kick.

“Hooker” and “acting halfback” are not identical legal labels. Under IRL Section 11 (2026), a player from the team in possession may act immediately behind the player playing the ball. That is often number 9, but it can be another teammate. At a scrum, the hooker is the middle front-row forward and has the first right to strike for the ball once it reaches the tunnel under Section 12.

Second-row forwards: edge strength

The two second-row forwards commonly defend and carry on the left and right edges, run lines off the halves, and help connect the middle forwards to the outside backs. Depending on the team's system, they may also work through the middle or swap sides.

At a full scrum, IRL Section 12 (2026) places no more than two second-row forwards behind the front row. “Second row” therefore has a formal scrum meaning, but it does not create a fixed open-play lane or prevent another forward from taking that player's usual attacking role.

Loose forward or lock: the link role

Number 13 is called the loose forward in much of Britain and the lock forward in Australia and New Zealand. The modern role varies widely. Some teams use a powerful middle forward; others use a mobile passer who links the ruck, halves, and edge runners.

In the full scrum required by IRL Section 12 (2026), the loose forward packs behind the two second-row forwards and binds around them. The 2026 amendment made that 3-2-1 formation explicit. Once the ball is in open play, number 13 is free to perform whatever lawful tactical role the team chooses.

Position is not the same as the job in one play

Rugby league commentary uses several labels that describe what a player is doing at that moment, not their named shirt position.

• Dummy half or acting halfback: the player immediately behind a teammate completing the play-the-ball.
• First receiver: the first teammate to receive a pass from the ruck area.
• Marker: a defender standing at the play-the-ball in the position allowed by the tackle laws.
• Ball-player: a tactical description for a player who passes and links attacks; it is not one of the 13 formal IRL position names.

Under the IRL 2026 laws, the player's conduct and position in the current phase matter. Their original shirt number does not excuse offside, obstruction, an incorrect play-the-ball position, or another infringement.

Where the forwards-backs split is enforced

Positions become most legally visible at a scrum. Under IRL Section 12 (2026), no more than six players from each team may help form the scrum, and no more than seven may act as backs while the ball is in it. A full six-forward pack uses a compulsory 3-2-1 formation: three in the front row, two in the second row, and the loose forward behind them.

If injuries deplete a team, the 2026 laws allow reduced pack formations while requiring at least three forwards to pack and still limiting the side to seven acting backs. The two scrum-halves and other players outside the scrum must also observe the phase-specific retirement rules. See the full rugby league scrum guide for formation, feed, and offside detail.

Replacements do not create extra on-field players

IRL Section 4, Law 2(a) (2026) allows a team to nominate up to four replacements before the game and make no more than eight interchanges among the 17 named players. The referee or appointed interchange official must sanction each change. The ordinary match group can therefore contain 17 players, but no more than 13 may be on the field.

Section 4, Law 2(c) also provides a conditional eighteenth-player replacement. It may be activated if two players are ruled ineligible to return after head injury assessments, or if one player is ruled out with an injury caused by opposition foul play for which the offender was sin-binned or dismissed. It is not an automatic fifth bench place.

Timing matters. The Section 4 notes generally prevent a change during a play-the-ball unless play has stopped for injury; a replacement made while a kick at goal is to be taken cannot take that kick. An incoming player may wear an additional number and perform a different tactical role. The legal questions are eligibility, the authorised interchange, and the on-field count—not whether the shirt matches the conventional position number. See the interchange and HIA guide for the full procedure.

What happens after a sin bin, dismissal, or injury

A team can continue with fewer than 13 players after a temporary suspension, dismissal, injury, or lack of available replacements. It normally reshapes its attack and defence to cover the missing player; the laws do not require one particular position to be removed.

IRL Section 4 (2026) sets the safety threshold at nine current participants. This count includes players on the field and players temporarily suspended in the sin bin, but not dismissed players. If a team has fewer than nine current participants, the match must be terminated for safety reasons. This is not the same as saying the match automatically ends whenever fewer than nine players are physically on the field.

Which team or position rule controls?

1. Name the format and competition. Confirm that it is running 13-a-side rugby league and identify any appointed playing conditions.
2. Count players on the field. Under the IRL baseline, 13 is the maximum at any instant.
3. Check the match list and entry. Ask whether a replacement was named, whether an eighteenth-player trigger occurred, and whether the change was authorised.
4. If the team is depleted, count current participants. Include players on the field and in the sin bin; exclude dismissed players.
5. At a scrum, check the phase roles. Apply the six-forward maximum, seven-back maximum, permitted pack formation, and retirement requirements.
6. In open play, judge conduct rather than shirt labels. Any onside player may run, pass, or kick; a nominal prop or half does not own an exclusive lane or skill.

The IRL notes to Section 15 expressly say that a referee cannot order a repeat offender in a specialist position to change position. The captain may move the player; the referee deals with the infringement.

Where the baseline changes in 2026

Women’s senior internationals: alongside the laws effective 1 January 2026, the IRL Board approved a playing condition allowing 10 interchanges. The general Section 4 limit is eight, so it should not be stated as universal.

RFL community and primary rugby league: RFL Operational Rule B2:1:3 says the international laws apply unless varied and authorises changes including team composition and substitution rules. The separate Primary Rugby League Rules 2026 then set smaller limits: U6 and U7 recommend four players (maximum five), U8 recommends five (maximum six), U9 recommends six (maximum seven), U10 permits no more than nine, and U11 no more than eleven. The primary rules also seek to keep every child involved rather than applying the senior 17-player match group.

IRL Rugby League World Cup 2026: IRL announced on 29 April 2026 that the men’s and women’s tournaments will use the 2026 NRL and NRLW Premiership Rules and Interpretations. Tournament procedures therefore control where they supplement or vary the international baseline. The wheelchair tournament uses the separately updated IRL Wheelchair Laws.

Misunderstandings to avoid

• “A rugby league team has 15 players”: that confuses league with standard rugby union. IRL 13-a-side league has no more than 13 on the field.
• “The squad and the on-field team are the same thing”: no. Replacements can be named, but only the permitted number may be on the field.
• “Every IRL match allows exactly eight interchanges”: no. Eight is the Section 4 baseline, while the 2026 women’s senior international playing condition allows ten.
• “A number 7 must take every scrum feed”: no. Section 12 regulates the player performing the feed; a replacement or reshuffle can change who performs that phase role.
• “Only the hooker can play dummy half”: no. Number 9 commonly does it, but IRL Section 11 allows a player from each team to take the acting-halfback position at the play-the-ball.
• “Forwards cannot pass or kick”: false. Once play has started, IRL Section 5 allows any onside player who is not out of play to run, kick, or pass lawfully.
• “Fewer than nine on the grass always ends the match”: not exactly. The IRL test counts current participants, including sin-binned players but excluding dismissed players.

Applying the count and the role labels

Case 1 — a different-numbered dummy half: number 9 leaves and number 14 enters through an authorised interchange, then plays at acting halfback. IRL 2026 ruling: legal if the team remains at 13 or fewer and the entry procedure was followed. Section 11 controls the acting-halfback position; the number 14 shirt does not prevent that player taking it.

Case 2 — eight players visible, two in the sin bin: injuries leave only eight teammates on the field while two others are temporarily suspended. IRL 2026 ruling: the match is not terminated by Section 4, Law 3(b) solely because eight are visible. The two sin-binned players count, giving ten current participants. Dismissed players would not count.

Case 3 — one failed HIA: one player is ruled out after a head injury assessment and the team asks to activate player 18. IRL 2026 ruling: one failed HIA alone does not satisfy Section 4, Law 2(c). Activation requires two players ruled out after HIA, unless the separate foul-play injury route applies.

Governing-body sources and effective version

• International Rugby League — 2026 International Laws of the Game — Section 2 glossary; Section 4, Laws 1–3; Section 5, Law 3; Section 11, Law 10(f); Section 12, Laws 2–3 and 6–8; Section 15, Law 1(e).
• International Rugby League — Amendments to International Laws 2026 — effective 1 January 2026; scrum packing amendment and 10-interchange playing condition for women’s senior internationals.
• International Rugby League — IRL Rugby League World Cup 2026 rules confirmed — competition-specific rules announcement, 29 April 2026.
• Rugby Football League — Operational Rules 2026 for Tiers Three and Four (Community Game) — Rule B2:1:3, variations to the Laws of the Game.
• Rugby Football League — Primary Rugby League Rules 2026 — age-group rules for U6 to U11 team numbers.

Checked on 27 August 2026 against the IRL law book, the amendments effective 1 January 2026, the later RLWC2026 announcement, and the cited RFL 2026 rules. The IRL Section 4 baseline controls this page unless the appointed competition or modified-format rules provide a variation.