Ulster Rugby v Cardiff Blues

USRFR ULSTERSOCIETYOFRUGBY FOOTBALLREFEREESUPDATE

SCRUM Law 19.10 - Scrum Engagement

Front row players must crouch with their heads to the left of their immediate opponents. No players head should be touching the neck or shoulders of an opponent’s once the referee calls ‘bind’. Key Factor: Stability. The action in the following photo is illegal.

REFEREE FOCUS AREAS 2019-20

There is no new Law this season due to the World Cup. However, referees have been asked to focus on the following key areas of the game: » Foul play » Scrum » Head injuries FOUL PLAY World Rugby have produced a framework for refereeing high tackles and shoulder charges. The following sanctions should be expected: PENALTY » Contact is below the shoulders and slips up. » No head or neck contact. » Low level of danger. » Yellow card with mitigation e.g. tackler tries to pull out YELLOW » Head or Neck contact with low level of danger. » PK offence with aggravating factor e.g. level of force. » Red card offence with mitigating factor. RED » Head or neck contact with high level of danger. » No mitigating factors

Photo courtesy of World Rugby

Sanction: Free kick which will be escalated to a penalty if it persists HEAD INJURIES Reminder – there is no HIA (Head Injury Assessment) in local domestic amateur rugby. HIA only applies in the professional game. Law 3.24 ‘recognise and remove’ - If at any point during a match, a player is concussed or has suspected concussion, that player must be immediately and permanently removed from the playing area. There is no debate about this and referees will continue to enforce this Law. It is up to clubs and schools to ensure that players are appropriately cared for and that they follow return to play protocol.

NEW REFEREE COURSE

The USRFR will be holding a new referees course on Saturday 9th November.

Why referee » Discover a new angle of the game » Keep fit » Become part of a new team » Receive excellent training and have the opportunity to attend regular workshops and meetings to aid your development » Receive free Ulster match tickets and right to buy Ireland ticket

Date: Time:

Saturday 9th November 2019

9.30am – 4.30pm

Venue:

Newforge Sports Complex

If you are interested and think you have what it takes to become a referee, please contact Richard Kerr (Referee Development Manager) at richard.kerr@irfu.ie.

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