Matchday Regulations...

Issue 3 - 09th December 2011

1. Confirming Fixtures / Times

(1). Fixtures will be published on the Colts League WebSite and on Rugby First.

(2). Fixtures must be confirmed between Managers by phone at least one week in advance.

(3). Although the League's eMail Contact System is a convenient method of Managers contacting each other it should not be relied upon as a failsafe method.

(4). The Home Team Manager must confirm the game with their Society Referee who must be arranged in advance in accordance with the Referee Protocol Regulations.

(5). Regulation Match Day and Kick-Off Times for Junior Colts are Sunday at 12.30pm and for Senior Colts are Sunday at 2.00pm. These time can be varied by mutual agreement between Managers and with the Referee.

(6). Further Regulation regarding postponed or abandoned games is detailed under Regulation 4.

2. ON MATCHDAY

(1). Managers should always ensure they know the Referee's Name and Mobile Number - for emergency contact just in case things go pear shaped on the day of the game or before.

(2). Ensure you Meet & Greet your Referee, who should be welcomed and offered his expenses (on arrival). He should then be shown to his changing room where changing and showering facilities should be separate from the players.

(3). Your Referee is a Guest of your Club and should be afforded the best courtesy and hospitality.
NB: Assigning a responsible adult helper to look after your Referee can pay dividends...

(4). Touch Judges should not be "spare players". It is helpful if the Home Team is prepared to provide two Adults to act as Touch Judges should your Visitors not be able to fulfil this commitment.

(5). Touch Judges MUST have room to operate between the touchline and the spectators.

(6). Spectators MUST be back from the field of play at all times, as per the Code of Conduct, preferably behind a suitable barrier.

3. Player Selection / Numbers / Shortages / Replacements / Substitutions 

(1). Only Players properly registered in accordance with the Squad Registration Regulations may be selected to play in any League Match.

(2). Up to 22 players may be selected (15, plus 7 replacements). Only 22 Players (Max) may be changed ready to play all of whom must be listed on the Match Result Card which must be handed to the Referee before the game.

(3). RFU photo I/D's Cards MUST be made up and carried for every Player and MUST be available for inspection between Managers before each game. Checking of opponents RFU I/D Cards must be in line with RFU Guidelines and should be done at least 30 minutes before the scheduled Kick Off time.

(4). Teams failing to make their RFU I/D Cards and their Players available for checking in line with the Regulations are liable to be sanctioned by the League and may forfeit the game.

(5). Managers & Coaches have a duty of care and must not allow or encourage players to play in a front row position if they do not have suitable training and experience.

(6). If due to non-availability of suitably trained players at the start of or during a match the Referee has to order uncontested scrummages the match will continue as a competitive match save for the scrummages which when uncontested will simply be a method of restarting the game.

(7). Teams nominating 22 players must have at least six players in their Matchday Squad who can play in the front row in order there is replacement cover for the loose head prop, hooker and tight head prop.

(8) All Front Row Players must be clearly identified FR on the Match Result Card which must be handed to the Referee before the game.

(9). Managers who know they will be short of the full compliment of 3 Front Row players for a match should have the courtesy to give advance notice to their opponents to enable them to prepare accordingly.

(10). Should the minimum number of Six trained front row players not be available a match can proceed but with a reduced number of replacements on the bench, as follows:~
                    6 Front Row = 7 Replacements, 5 FR = 6 Rep's, 4 FR = 5 Rep's, 3 FR = 4 Rep's.
                     Less than 3 Front Row (ie starting with uncontested scrums) = 0 Replacements

(11). Coaches and Replacements should remain within a Marked Technical Area per the Code of Conduct.

(12). Replacements must remain within the Marked Technical Area other than when bringing on water and must wear HI-VIZ Tabards at all times.

(13). Rolling Substitutions are permitted in all Colts League games - through the Referee Only. The maximum number of interchanges is limited to twelve.

(14). As Senior Colts matches may involve Under 18 or Under 17 players squeeze ball is not permitted.

(15). Per the Duty of Care Managers & Coaches must ensure no Youth Player participates in more than one game or more than 70 minutes of rugby per matchday (including School games) per RFU Regulations.

(16). Teams should make all attempts to ensure fixtures go ahead in spite of a shortage of Players. Games may be played with a minimum of 9 players per Team. If a Team is short and their opponents are not prepared to lend them players games can proceed with no more than a one-player advantage to any side. ie : turn up with 9 players and your opposition can only field 10. Should any Team have less than 9 players the game & points will be forfeit.

(17). Should a reduced numbers game be necessary:~
    a).  Only 7 replacements may be used by the Team who are not short on numbers.

    b).  Playing time may be reduced by 5 minutes per half, by agreement.

    c).  The offside line at the scrummage will be the centre-line of the scrum, and the scrum-half cannot follow the ball around the scrum.

    d).  In any match where one Team starts with one less player the difference of one must be maintained if the lesser side loses a player(s) through injury; the objective being to maintain a competitive game.

    e).  This also applies in any match where Teams start with level numbers but one team loses two players through injury and have no replacements; their opponents must reduce their numbers to a difference of "plus one".

    f).  In the event of a sin-bin or sending off there will be no requirement for the non-offending side to reduce numbers, however the Referee can use his judgement to request the non-offending side reduce their number if he considers continuing without would be dangerous.

    g).  Managers should have a copy of the Regulations and these MatchDay Regulations to hand at all times to enable them to point out these variations to the Referee prior to the start of the game.

4. Match Results 

(1). Results must be reported by TEXT by Both Managers immediately following each game in accordance with the Post-Match Regulations (by 6pm Sunday latest). It is good practice to check the score with the Referee as you leave the field of play - you could even text the result in immediately thereafter - Many Managers do !!

(2). Match Cards must be completed & signed by the Referee and submitted to the League in accordance with the Post-Match Regulations.

5. Post Match

(1). Please look after your Referee - and request he complete and sign your Match Card.

(2). Additional advise is given in the Referee Protocol Regulations.

(3). If any Player or Coach is Red Carded before during or after a League match they will be subject to a Disciplinary Hearing and possibly a ban. Referees are obliged to submit a Sending off Report and Colts Team Managers must report Red Card offenders on the Match Result Card as well as to their own Senior Club Secretary. The Disciplinary Regulations will assist Managers with further information.

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