Law Changes
I have had several queries recently seeking clarification on a statement made by World Rugby that changes to the current Laws would be announced on January 1st of this year. I can now assure you that there will be no further changes made for the remainder of this season.

However, World Rugby have issued a Law Application Guideline ahead of what will be a huge year for the men’s game. With one minor exception, there are no law changes – there’s a moratorium on those in the year before a men’s Rugby World Cup. The guideline acts as a reminder to players, coaches and referees of existing laws which if adhered to, will lead to more ball in play time, and so improving the spectacle as a whole.

Please press control and click on the link above to read the guidelines in full. You may like to note the specific references to ‘Negative Player Action’ and ‘Players on the Ground’ and the implications they have for referees.

There will be an opportunity to discuss these Guidelines further at the next meeting.

Mentoring
In the last Newsletter I gave you a link to register, should you wish to participate, on the upcoming RFU Mentoring course due to start in February/March of this year, As a Society we are always looking for ways in which we can support our Match Officials particularly for new and younger members, by becoming a mentor you would help us in ensuring that all our members can have that support. If you would like to help by mentoring your referee colleagues, then this course would be useful for you. Please follow the https://www.englandrugby.com/participation/mentoring link if you wish to participate

Next Meeting 25th January 2023
In my last Newsletter I said that we would have an open forum on any ‘game incidents’ that you would like to discuss and asked you to submit any topics to myself for discussion. To date I have received no responses! These training meetings are for you and if you want to get the best out of them then it is imperative that you take an active participation in them by raising matters that are of relevance to you and your game. I look forward to receiving any queries you may want to be discussed.

Unfortunately, I am unable to attend the meeting, but Duncan Miller has agreed to take the lead on the ‘Law Application Guidelines’, and Brian Davison will take the lead on the ‘Games Incidents’ part of the meeting.

Thank you to both and hope you all have an informative meeting. Pete Hardman