We all know how important it is that good discipline is exercised by all during rugby matches and we hope that games will run smoothly. However, no matter how good the pre match interfaces were, it is inevitable that tensions will surface from time to time and the referee then has to take appropriate action. Sometimes that will be apparently ignoring an offence, which can upset the team that has been offended against, but the lack of action by the referee may be because the offence was considered trivial and did not materially affect play, or advantage was played. At the next stoppage the guilty player should be spoken to, loudly and clearly, so that all persons within earshot are aware that the “offence” has been seen and why no sanction was imposed. No transgression should be considered to be too trivial to take some action and the action needs to be commensurate not only with the actual offence, but also with the previous conduct of the player, of his team and the general temper of the game.

The formal sanctions are the yellow and red cards. On each occasion when these have to be issued, the referee should take however long it is necessary to make a note of the offender’s name and number, the nature of the offence, the manner of response of the carded player, the type and severity of any injury, the time of the incident and the score at that time. Upon reaching the changing room after the game, the referee needs to ensure that his notes are legible, complete and understandable. When talking to any person after the game, except his assistant referee, mentor and the appointed advisor, he should not discuss the sending off. He should only say that he will be submitting his report and the appropriate persons will be advised by the disciplinary secretary of the player’s county what the next stages will be.