2027 Great Britain Tag Rugby Selection Pathway
Great Britain Tag Rugby is building a clear pathway for players who want to progress from domestic Tag Rugby into international representation.
For the 2027 season, UK Tag Nationals will be the primary selection event for Great Britain Tag Rugby (GBTR) squads, with an additional Open Trials Day providing an opportunity for eligible players who are unable to take part in Nationals.
The selection process applies to players wishing to be considered for the 2027 Test Series and also the British & Irish Cup squads.
The 2027 pathway
There are three routes through which players may be considered for 2027 GBTR selection:
1. UK Tag Nationals – Saturday 12 September
UK Tag Nationals is the primary talent identification and selection event for the 2027 GBTR squads.
Players who wish to be considered for GB selection are expected to represent their region at Nationals in their relevant age category, wherever an appropriate category is available.
Regional coaches have been given the scope to put forward names of those players who are keen to try-out for GB, and are believed to be of the standard.
The longer-term aim is for UK Tag Nationals to become a recognised and established pathway event for Great Britain selection, with players aspiring to international representation competing at Nationals as part of their development journey.
Attendance at UK Tag Nationals is expected unless a panel-approved exemption applies.
2. Open Trials - SUNDAY 13 SEPTEMBER
An additional Open Trials day will take place on Sunday 13 September.
The trials are open to eligible players who wish to be considered for GBTR selection, including players who were unable to participate in Nationals.
This may be particularly relevant for players in youth and/or Senior/Masters age categories where their age category is not offered at Nationals, as well as players who do not have the opportunity to play at Nationals for another reason.
The Open Trials provide a further opportunity for the GBTR selection panel to assess players and identify talent for the 2027 programme.
Further information
Date: Sunday13 Sept 2026
Times: 09:00-11:00
Venue: Warwick Uni
Cost: £10
Registration Link https://forms.gle/m8apuJY1us45cmb7A
Payment Link https://trytagrugby.spawtz.com/Leagues/2259/Registration/Individual
Deadline to register: 12:00 on 11th September 2026
3. Exemption
We recognise that there will be circumstances where a player cannot attend either Nationals or the Open Trials.
Players who are unable to attend due to circumstances such as injury, work, travel or other significant commitments may apply for an exemption.
Exemption requests will be considered by the relevant selection panel on a case-by-case basis.
An approved exemption does not guarantee selection or a place in a GBTR training squad. It allows the player to remain eligible for consideration through the selection process.
Further information
Cost: £10
Registration Link https://forms.gle/m8apuJY1us45cmb7A
Exemption https://forms.gle/CJx1uTdRQD5Tm1uk7
Payment https://trytagrugby.spawtz.com/Leagues/2108/Registration/Individual
Deadline to register: 12:00 on 11th September 2026
Note: Please note this exemption does not automatically give you a place in the training squad.
If the exemption is accepted, it only makes you eligible for selection into a training squad.
Volunteer
Registration Link https://forms.gle/czvyXHYvWnYPzwAJA
What does this mean for players?
If you want to be considered for Great Britain in 2027, your first priority should be to play at UK Tag Nationals on Saturday 12 September.
The pathway is designed to give players a clear progression:
UK Tag Nationals (GBTR talent ID) > High Performance Training Squad > GB Touring Team
Where Nationals cannot provide an appropriate opportunity, or where a player has an approved reason for being unavailable, the 13 SeptemberOpen Trials or exemption process provides an alternative route into consideration.
Current or previous Great Britain representation does not remove the expectation to engage with the 2027 selection process.
Note:
Those GB Players training with their squad on Sunday 13th do not require an exemption.
Those players who were part of the GB squad in 2026, but have since been cut, must trial/be exempt.
All players wishing to be considered should familiarise themselves with the relevant GBTR selection and eligibility policies, programme expectations and player requirements before registering.