BUCS Rugby Union Regulations – updated

An update to the BUCS (Universities and Colleges) Rugby Union Regulations was issued on 6th October. A copy of the regulations can be downloaded from the BUCS website. A key point is that the regulations differ depending on the competition tier for both men’s and women’s teams. More

RFU Community Cups Regulations

Here is the link to the RFU Community Cups Regulations. The Regulations cover how the result of a match is determined in the event of the scores being level at full-time. More

Fitness (Bronco) Test Session – 18 September

The last Fitness Test Session for 2025 will take place at Lymm Rugby Club on Thursday 18th September starting at 6:30pm. Jonny Cartwright and Bill Taylor will be there to organise. All referees, regardless of their grading level, are invited to attend. The times by when the Bronco test should be completed for each grade ... More

England Rugby Match Official Handbook 2025/26

The RFU's England Rugby Match Official Handbook 2025/26 is now available. Michael Patz, RFU Match Official Development Manager, said   "... (the handbook is) a living document that will be updated throughout the season as new information becomes available or additional needs arise." He also highlighted, by way of a ... More

Wanted – Camera Operator

Message from Fred Eckersley (NW Federation) and Nigel Yates (North MOT) Wanted - Camera Operator Would you, or perhaps someone you know, be interested in filming matches for referee training and development purposes? North West Federation and Regional 1 North Match Officials Team are looking to appoint a camera ... More

2025-26 Pre-season Fitness Tests

There will be a Fitness Test Session at Lymm Rugby Club on Tuesday 12th August starting at 7pm. Two further sessions will take place before the pre-season meetings at Burnley Rugby Club on Wednesday 20th August and Sedgley Park Rugby Club on Tuesday 26th August. Both these sessions will start at 6:30pm. ... More

Details of pre-season meetings

This year’s pre-season meetings will take place as follows with a 7pm start: • Wednesday 20th August at Burnley RUFC • Tuesday 26th August at Sedgley Park RUFC The agenda will be the same for both meetings, so there is no need to attend both. More

Andy Dawson – An Obituary

Andy joined the Society in 1999 and was a very well-liked and dedicated member. I want to thank Chris Meadows, a fellow member and long-time friend of Andy, for preparing the following obituary. Paul Houston Chairman Manchester & District Rugby Union Referees' Society         Andy ... More

New PO paper published – July 2025 Law changes

At the April meeting, Andy McMillan introduced the latest Preferred Options (PO) paper: PO#30 – Implementing law changes EFFECTIVE FROM 1st JULY 2025 Please note that these changes do not apply to the remaining matches for this season (2024/25). The full series of POs is listed here.     More

Community Game Future (CGF) and Community Game Spend

The documents referenced below for download address two of the questions that were raised at the recent RFU roadshows and have been sent to all clubs by the RFU: Where is the £30m Community Rugby budget spent? What are the main themes and initiatives that underpin the Community Game of the Future? RFU Documen... More