World Rugby Law Clarifications – Diving on the ball coming out of the Ruck and In-goal Scenarios

Diving on the ball coming out of the Ruck Message from Keith Lewis, Laws Co-ordinator, World Rugby (dated 4 February 2022) "This has just been published online and been sent from the World Rugby International Relations team to your respective Unions. Normally these would come out on a Monday, but it was a question that ... More

International Cap Awarded to Peter Hughes

26 England referees, including 6 ladies, who are still alive and have refereed a match between two Tier One Countries, were awarded their International Caps.  23 gathered, with  partners, in the Members' Lounge at Twickenham last week, for the presentation by the President of the RFU, Jeff Blackett.  Johnny Johnson ... More

Player’s Clothing – query answered

A query has arisen about clothing. A club has an Under18 player who wears a tag, which they cover with padding. Whilst this is not covered in the Regulations, please could you advise on what we can do to allow this lad to play. Reply from Michael Patz RFU Match Official Development Manager Checking with regulat... More

Your Development and the Preferred Options Papers

Andy McMillan, Chairman of Training & Development, introduced the thinking behind the Society’s “Preferred Options” (PO) papers at the pre-season meetings in August. The idea of the papers is to help referees and assessors work towards taking a more consistent approach and to continually improve the refereeing ... More

Match Officials Who Attend Age Grade Coaching Sessions

From: Steve Bradford RFRU Safeguarding Manager Sent: 21 July 2020 19:40Subject: Match Officials Coaching at Age Grade Rugby Companions, I have received the following clarification from RFU Safeguarding Team in respect of Match Officials who attend Age Grade coaching sessions Society’s should ensure that a ... More

RFU Match Official Development

  Match Official Development Distribution List: RFRU Secretary Referee Society Secretaries Match Official Development Officers Match Official Panel Development Managers Monday 23rd March 2020 Dear colleagues, We hope that you are all well and we are sure that like many of us you will be monitoring ... More

Safeguarding and DBS Checks

For the attention of all members who wish to officiate at matches involving players under the age of 18 The RFU have declared, starting next Season (2020/21), that all Match Officials who wish to officiate U18’s matches must be Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checked. ***  "DBS Checking of Forms" sessions on 17th ... More

Update from the RFU: Revised Front Row Logic Tree

Message from Michael Patz, RFU Match Official Development Manager Questions raised recently in the National Leagues and community game, have highlighted widespread confusion over teams being unable to replace a front row player, leading to uncontested scrums. We have therefore revised the front row logic tree to offer ... More

Technical Area Protocol

Lancashire Disciplinary have outlined the Technical Area Protocol as below: RFU North have similar instructions. NORTH DIVISION ADMINISTRATIVE INSTRUCTIONS 2019 - 2020 para 12:   Introduction There is a growing trend to ignore the technical area. Clubs and coaches use the excuse “the ... More

Updated with downloadable video clips – Game Values – “Zero Tolerance Approach”

GAME VALUES - ZERO TOLERANCE APPROACH TO PLAYER APPEALING / QUESTIONING DECISIONS / GENERAL BACKCHAT   At Premiership and Championship level, a concerted effort has been made over the last 2 years to enforce Game Values and the Rugby Core Values (Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship). Core ... More