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

A Player’s Headcase Story

RFU Headcase Page   James Doherty – A HEADCASE encounter My story is one of misplaced pride, stubbornness, fear and thankfully perspective. Having played all my junior rugby at Fleetwood and later at Sedbergh School I enrolled at the University of Leeds and subsequently, Wharfedale RUFC, ... 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

Briefing and Up-date from Pre-season Meetings

This article summarises the briefing on a number of topics given by Andy McMillan (Chairman of Training and Development) at the recent pre-season meetings. All Referees (and Referee Assessors and Coaches) are asked to familiarise themselves with the material below.   Mismatched scrums Occasionally mismat... More

World Rugby confirms scrum law amendment & Updates to High Tackle Sanction Framework

For immediate release Issued on behalf of World Rugby World Rugby confirms scrum law amendment Reaffirming its commitment to evidence-based injury-reduction in the sport, World Rugby has announced details of a minor amendment to the scrum law, reducing the ‘axial’ or rotational load on front row players on ... More

Half Game Rule – Age grade Rugby

To: RFRU & Referee Society Secretaries I am sure that many of you will be aware of the recent announcement of the Half-Game Rule to become regulation from September 2019. It means that every age-grade player in clubs, schools and colleges is guaranteed to get half the available game time. Details can be found ... More

The Society is now incorporated

Message from the Society Chairman I was informed last Thursday that the Society is now incorporated as the Manchester & District Rugby Union Referees Society Ltd, Company Number 11952818.  The Society is now a Company Limited by Guarantee. This means that the AGM will be conducted as the first AGM of the ... More