Phil Russell
RFU Regulation 6 (2023)
26. The home Club must make provision that two Technical Areas (as defined in RFU Regulation 1) are marked out on the same side of the pitch, one for each team, to which Permitted Personnel (when not undertaking their duties) are to be restricted during the match other than for the period of half-time. At Regional 1 and below, and only where the Club committee is satisfied it is unnecessary or impractical for Technical Areas to be in place, each Club in a match must (unless the referee agrees otherwise) ensure that Permitted Personnel (when not undertaking their duties) remain on the side of the pitch designated by the home Club within an area bounded by the centre and ten metre line on the pitch and two metres from the side line of the pitch at the end of the pitch in which it’s team plays the first half of the match.
27. Where there are permanent dugouts or shelters, team, replacements and coaching staff must confine themselves to them or remain outside the pitch-side barriers, or if none, the playing enclosure (as defined by the Referee) other than when a player is about to replace a player on the pitch, or when a player is temporarily suspended or for the periods of half-time.
Herts Rugby
Herts Rugby Directive applies the spectator barrier requirement to all league and cup games in youth rugby.
Herts Society Position
- 1st team games in an RFU league or cup competition and competitive youth games WILL NOT TAKE PLACE unless the appropriate barrier(s) are provided or, if that is shown to be impractical, other measures are in place to ensure that spectators keep away from the playing area.
- Technical areas must be marked out in the relevant adult league games and used by coaches, replacements, water carriers and medical support staff must (except when delivering water to the players during a break in play each half or entering the pitch to carry out a medical assessment or provide treatment) must stay in the technical area.
- Everyone else must stand on the far side of the barrier. If the barrier is only provided on one side of the pitch, all spectators must remain on that side.
If it is impractical for a technical area to be marked out, then coaches etc must remain on the side of the pitch designated by the home club and within an area between the centre and 10m lines and 2m back from the touchline.
Coaches are not permitted to follow play by walking up and down the touchline and are not permitted to stand in or behind the in goal area.
Merit Tables
Clubs are not expected to provide barriers for games in the Herts/Middx Merit Tables or 2nd team games and below in any other league.
However, the safety of players, spectators and match officials remains the home club’s responsibility. The referee MUST stop play if spectators encroach onto or inside the touchline or if other safety concerns arise.
