• The referee should where possible arrive at the ground no later than 45minutes prior to kick off to ensure that all the safety checks required can be done in time. They should on arrival make contact with the captains/coach/team manager to enable these checks to be carried out prior to kick off.
• The referee will referee the game according to the laws of the game and will expect the players and coaches of the teams involved to have an understanding of the laws of the game as well.
• Referees will go through the sequence for scrums with the respective front rows including the timing of their sequence and also check the studs of all players including replacements in the game.
• Referees will insist that all replacements from both teams are on the same side of the playing enclosure due to the regulation re rolling replacements. Replacements will only be allowed to come on from the halfway line with the permission of the referee.
• Referees will brief the touch judges of what they expect from them (touch and conversions/penalties).
• Referees will be available to coaches up to 15mins prior to kick off for questions on the game but it is up to each individual referee as to whether he/she wishes to answer any of them
• Referees may, if they wish, speak to the captains of each side at half time as part of their game management strategy.
• Referees will not be available to coaches/club officials from 15mins before the game until 30mins after the end of the game including half time.