Watch on Youtube
AIL Rugby Referee Presentation 2026-27 It outlines - rule changes and priority areas for Referees this coming season If you are interested in becoming a Referee or a Line Judge - links at the bottom of this article
The tackle height law trial which has been in force over the past few seasons has now been made permanent (see law 9.13, 14.1 and 14.5). Any reference to the law being a trial are now obsolete.
I would like to draw your attention to law 4.4 (c) which states that players may not wear any item containing buckles, clips, rings etc. and 4.4 (h) which prohibits communication devices from being worn by players. Prohibited items include wearable fitness devices such as watches and other equipment worn on the wrist, and rings, regardless of whether they are covered with tape or padding. GPS devices worn in a pouch between the shoulder blades are permitted.Please ensure all players are made aware of this so they can avoid wearing prohibited items during matches.
Under Law 4.5 The referee has the power to decide at any time that part of a player’s clothing is dangerous or illegal. In this case, the referee must order the player to remove the item. The player must not take part in the match until the item is removed or rendered harmless.
Law 4.6 states that If, at an inspection before the match, a match official tells a player that an item banned under this law is being worn and the player is subsequently found to be wearing that item on the playing area, that player is sent off for misconduct.
A reminder that we will continue to use Rhino this season as our official balls for all Leinster competitions.
