WRU Codes of Conduct

Code of Conduct for Players

• A Player shall accept and observe the authority and decisions of referees, touch judges, match officials and all other rugby Disciplinary bodies, subject to IRB Regulation 17 and shall not use crude or abusive language or gestures towards referees, touch judges, other match officials or spectators.
• A player shall not abuse, threaten or intimidate a referee, touch judge or other match official, whether on or off the field of play.
• A Player shall not publish or cause to be published or make any public criticism of any match official or any other Team Manager, Club Official or any player, or employee of his or another Club, but he will have recourse to the complaints procedure of the Union and which procedure should be adhered to.  
• A player shall not publish or cause to be published criticism of the manner in which the Disciplinary Panel handled or resolved any dispute or disciplinary matter arising from a breach of the Bye Laws, Regulations or Laws of the Game.
• A player shall not do anything which is likely to intimidate, offend, insult, humiliate or discriminate against any other person on the ground of their religion, race, colour or national or ethnic origin.
• A Player shall conduct himself at all times in an ethical and professional manner and shall observe the highest standards of integrity and fair dealing and shall not engage in any conduct or activity on or off the field that may impair public confidence in the honest and orderly Conduct of a Match.
• A player shall not commit an anti doping rule violation as defined in IRB Regulation 21.
• A Player shall promote the reputation of the game of Rugby Union Football and take all possible steps to prevent it being brought into disrepute.

Code of Conduct for Coaches/Team Managers/Club Officials

• A Coach/Team Manager/Club Official shall comply with the Laws of the Game, the Regulations of the IRB, the regulations of the WRU, the Rules of any Competition in which his club participates and his Club rules. The Coach/Team Manager/Club official shall not encourage or incite any person (including other employees of his Club) to act in breach of the same but shall take all possible steps to ensure that they comply with them.
• A Coach/Team Manager/Club official shall use best endeavours to ensure that there is in force at his Club a fair and effective disciplinary policy applicable to players and other employees under his control and that it is applied consistently.
• A Coach/Team Manager/Club Official shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that Players and/or other employees under his control accept and observe the authority and decisions of match officials.
• A Coach/Team Manager/Club Official shall not publish or cause to be published or make any public criticism of any match official or any other Coach, Team Manager, Club Official or any Player, and/or employee of his or another Club but he will have recourse to the complaints procedure of the Union and which procedure should be adhered to.
• A Coach/Team Manager/Club Official shall conduct himself at all times in an ethical and professional manner and shall observe the highest standards of integrity and fair dealing.
• A Coach/Team Manager/Club Official shall take all possible steps to promote the reputation of the game of Rugby Union Football and to prevent it being brought into disrepute.
• A Coach/Team Manager/Club Official shall not:

1. Abuse, threaten or intimidate a referee, touch judge or other match official, whether on or off the field.
2. Use crude or abusive language or gestures towards the referees, touch judges or other match officials or spectators.
3. Do anything which is likely to intimidate, offend, insult, humiliate or discriminate against any other person on the ground of their religion, race, colour or national or ethnic origin.

Code of Conduct for Match Officials

• A match official shall not make any public criticism of any other match official or any Team Manager, Club Official or player of any Club, but he will have recourse to the complaints procedure of the Union and which procedure should be adhered to.
• A match official shall conduct himself at all times in an ethical and professional manner and shall observe the highest standards of integrity and fair dealing.
• A match official shall take all possible steps to promote the reputation of the game of Rugby Union Football and to prevent it being brought into disrepute.
• A match official shall attain, and subsequently maintain, a level of fitness to the standards set by the WRU.
• Match officials will endeavour to apply the Laws of the Game fairly and to an agreed interpretation as specified by the WRU and to provide the style of play as determined by the WRU.
• Match officials must wear the agreed kit and adhere to any sponsorship agreement as determined by the WRU.
• Match officials are expected to attend disciplinary hearings involving them personally whenever possible. The reason for non attendance must be given to the WRU’s administration department in advance of the hearing.
• Match officials are expected, whenever practicable, to attend all training sessions arranged by the Manager of Match Officials. The same would apply should these training sessions be incorporated into monthly District Match Official meetings.