RFU Regulations
There are three key regulation when it comes to match officials; Regulation 12 (Match Officials), Regulation 19 (Discipline) and Regulation 21 (Safeguarding). To access these regulations in full, visit the RFU Regulations portal below. Here you’ll also find competition regulations on page two.
https://rfu.widencollective.com/portals/c7st2muu/RFURegulations2024-2025
Everyone shares the responsibility for safeguarding and creating safe environments in rugby union whether as a parent, coach, spectator or club official.
All should operate within an accepted ethical framework and demonstrate exemplary behaviour to both safeguard children and protect all personnel from allegations of abuse or poor practice. Children, which is anyone under the age of 18, must be cared for in the correct manner, as set out in the RFU Safeguarding Policy.
Just as clubs do, societies can ensure that they safeguard their members. This can be done by putting systems in place such as safeguarding officers, DBS checks and regular training to ensure that we are creating safe environments in rugby union.
Safeguarding Courses
*Note: Search virtual courses to find Introduction to Safeguarding
Physical fitness is an important part of match official performance. A match official who has an appropriate level of fitness for the game will be more accurate, more mentally sharp and ultimately enjoy the fixture more than one who may be less physically capable.
For Societies to run fitness monitoring for their officials, below you will find some guidance around set up, procedures and results to gain consistency in your sessions.
Here you will find listed all of the judgments from RFU disciplinary hearings around the country. There is also an archive of judgments from previous seasons coming.
If you require further assistance with locating a specific judgement, please contact the team via disciplinerfu@rfu.com. For yellow, red and match official abuse forms please visit the forms section under referee resources.
The Rugby Football Referees Union (RFRU) is a National Constituent Body of the Rugby Football Union and aims to support the processes needed to provide the highest quality match officiating to Rugby Union.
Visit their brand new website to look at the work they’re doing in the refereeing community.
