Sydney’s Shute Shield has introduced new regulations for the 2026 season and beyond.
The new Shute Shield regulations will see the implementation of a new “cap” system for clubs, which will replace the previous points-based structure.
These changes will significantly influence clubs’ player recruitment strategies and the selection of matchday 23-man squads.
The table below illustrates the new system, categorizing players based on various criteria.
The Shute Shield cap system:
| Category | Criteria | 1st Grade Cap Limit | 2nd Grade Cap Limit |
| A | Fully contracted player with 10 caps or more for the Wallabies and/or Super Rugby from 2020 onwards * | 3 | 0 |
| B | Full Super Rugby contract * | 3 | 0 |
| C | Played a game in the previous calendar year in any of the following competitions – URC, FFR, English Premiership # | 2 | 0 |
| D | Played a game in the previous calendar year in any of the following competitions – ITM/ProD2/Japan Top League >/MLR > # | 2 | 1 |
| E | Played a Game Day 23 for Australia u20 during the previous calendar year (Junior Wallabies) at the TRC tournament and/or U20s Rugby World Cup * | 3 | 2 |
| F | 6 or more caps in 1sts Colts and/or 1st Grade at another club in the previous season | 2 | 1 |
| G | A Player who is NOT an Australian citizen AND was NOT a ^Resident in Australia during 2024 or 2025 or is NOT a ^Returning Player # | 2 | 2 |
| H | All other players | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Clarifications
– * Any player who has 6 caps or more in Premiership Colts or was Colts eligible and has only played 1st or 2nd Grade, or was selected in the u20’s Junior Wallabies for the current Senior Premiership club is exempt from cap limits
– > Any MLR player who has 6 caps or more in colts with current Senior Premiership club or 4 caps or more in 1st grade during previous season with current Senior Premiership club is exempt from cap limits.
– > Any Japan Top League player who has over 6 caps or more in colts with current Senior Premiership club is exempt from cap limits.
– Category A, B and C may only play 1st Grade
– All players are classified as of 1st January 2026 and are classified at their highest level.
– Category A and B players can receive a maximum match payment of $500 per player, and for clarification, clubs are permitted to pay less than $500 and no other payments or incentives are permitted.
– # A maximum of 6 Foreign players are permitted per match day 23. Category C, D & G form the 6 players. Clubs may elect not to recruit players in this category to increase the Cap number for Category H.
– ^Resident must have resided in Australia for no less than 8 months in either 2024 or 2025.
– ^Returning player must have played a minimum of 12 rounds in the 2025 Premiership Competition and register and play with the 2025 Premiership Club they played for.
If you’re a player who matches the criteria above to play 1st Grade Shute Shield for the Premier or Colts sides, sign up to Oval15.com!
