With effect from 5 October 2026, match officials are asked to actively monitor and appropriately sanction players who deliberately drop a knee to the ground immediately prior to making a tackle on a ball carrier. An increasing trend has been identified where defenders lower themselves by dropping a knee to the ground immediately before contact….
Dear Members, As we begin another season, I’d like to thank everyone who attended and contributed to our Pre-Season Conference and AGM. The strong attendance, positive engagement and valuable discussions helped make it a fantastic day and a great platform for the season ahead. A particular thank you goes to the volunteers who organised and…
Updates from Michael Patz RFU Match Official Development Manager. As we gear up for the 2026/27 season, here are three important updates to help ensure you and your members are prepared for the months ahead. 1. RFU Permission to Referee Overseas or at Third-Party TournamentsFrom the 2026/27 season, referees who are members of an affiliated…
Please see the latest guidance regarding the season delay and the responsibilities of match officials. Match officials should refer to the guidance available via Community Rugby Help. Please use the online guidance rather than downloading or saving a copy, as it may be updated over the coming weeks. When your fixture is confirmed by the…
England Rugby Learning is live!!! A brand-new, personalised learning platform for coaches, match officials and volunteers, with tailored recommendations and a seamless mobile experience. Step 1) Register for England Rugby Learning. To register for England Rugby Learning, on a mobile browser or desktop initially head to https://englandrugbylearning.csod.com and login with your GMS account. If you need further…
