Championship League Regulations

1.1 Definitions
In these Regulations the following terms shall (unless otherwise required) have the following meanings. Any terms not defined in these Regulations shall have the meanings set out in RFU Regulation 1 or in the RFU Rules (as applicable):
- “Acquisition” the bringing together of separate entities into one economic entity as a result of one entity uniting with or obtaining control over the net assets and operations of another, other than as defined as a “Merger” below;
- “Appeals Panel” as set out in RFU Regulation 1;
- “Assistant Referee” as set out in RFU Regulation 1;
- “Associate” in relation to any company, another company which is a subsidiary of, or a holding company of, or another subsidiary of, controls or is controlled by or is in common control with that company; or in relation to any company, person or body, another company, person or body which is an associate thereof within the meaning of Section 435 of the Insolvency Act 1986 save that the words “one fifth” shall be substituted for the words “one third” in sub-section (10) thereof;
- “Broadcasting Agreement” any agreement for the Broadcasting of a Match or Matches or for the grant of Broadcasting Rights in the Championship entered into by the RFU;
- “Best Playing Record” as between Clubs in the Championship Final, the “best playing record” shall be determined in accordance with the rankings set out in regulation 3.1 (a);
- “Broadcasting” the transmission and/or recording and/or otherwise storing of coverage of or other reproduction of a match or matches in any medium and in any use or exploitation of the same by any means in any electronic media now known or at any time in the future developed, including, but not limited to, all forms of television (which will include, without limitation, all forms of analogue, digital, free, pay, pay per view and on-demand systems) and all other audio-visual recorded viewing media and all forms of interactive and/or on-line transmissions via the Internet or broadband networks or any other system, radio and all other audio only media (which will include all forms of recording and/or interactive and/or on-line audio transmissions via theInternet or any other system) whether live or deferred and whether in whole or in part throughout the world or any part thereof;
- “Broadcasting Rights” all television and/or other broadcasting, media, internet, web-site and mobile rights (whether live, as live, delayed, highlights or clips and whether such rights are on a free, pay, pay-per-view, video on demand and/or near video on demand and whether they are exercised by a means that is now known or developed in the future), relating to the Championship and any advertising, publicity and promotion rights of any and every description in and relating to the Championship;
- “Championship” or "Competition" the competition between 12 clubs referred to in regulation 2.2(a) played in accordance with these Regulations;
- “Clear days’ notice” exclusive of the day on which the notice is served, or deemed to be served, and exclusive of the day for which it is given and, in respect of receipt of a document by a specified number of “clear days” prior to a specified event, exclusive of the day of that event;
- “Club” any rugby union club which is, for the time being, a participant in the Championship;
- “Clubs” the twelve Clubs eligible from time to time to participate in the Championship in the Season;
- “Computerised Listing” the computerised record of a Club and adult Players’ registration details held by the RFU and made available by a Club by its Registrar (or the RFU) in the form prescribed by the RFU;
- “Control” as defined in The City Code on Takeovers and Mergers;
- “Covid-19 Minimum Operating Standard” any standards or requirements relating to Covid-19 and the management of it issued by the RFU or any governmental authority;
- “Disputes Committee” means the committee appointed by the RFU to manage disputes and issues pertaining to the Competition who in turn may delegate as it so determines to the RFU Rugby Events and Competitions Department or such other individuals or entities as required;
- “Effective Registration” that a player is registered with a Club in accordance with and pursuant to RFU Regulation 14.3;
- “England Academy Player” A Player who is: (i) of at least 15 years of age; (ii) under the age of 24 as at 1 September 2023 (iii) a member of one of the fourteen RFU licensed Club Academies; (iv) named on the England Academy Players list held and approved by the RFU (and notified to Premier Rugby Limited); and (v) qualified to play for England and/or an England U20 Player in the season for whom consent has been given by the RFU to play under licence for a Club otherthan that for whom the player has an Effective Registration. For the avoidance of doubt, an England Academy Player will not include a member of a RFU licensed Club Academy whose nameis not on the list of England Academy Players held and approvedby the RFU;
- “England Rugby Academy” the rugby academy scheme for elite rugby players operated by the applicable Clubs under the terms of the Professional Game Agreement (being the agreement made between the RFU, PRL and the relevant clubs for the period from 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2024) and forming part of the regional academy system;
- “English Clubs Championship” the competition played throughout England under the authority of the RFU which is governed by RFU Regulation 13 and their appendices printed in the Handbook;
- “EPS Player” a player selected for one of the England Elite Playing Squads bythe RFU Professional Rugby Director or such other person designated by the RFU and so identified to the Clubs;
- “Fifth Official” Any person appointed by the Home Club to be the fifth official;
- “Fixture List” the list for the time being of Championship fixtures referred to in regulation 4.1(a);
- “Foreign Player” As defined in RFU Regulation 1;
- “Fourth Official” any person appointed by the relevant authority to officiate upon a match as a fourth official;
- “Gross Gate Receipts” all monies from ticketing, car parking and programme receipts collected or due in respect of a match and excluding VAT which shall be deemed to include receipts from season ticket holders of the full price and from each corporate hospitality package shall be deemed to include a ticket sale in the highest price category;
- “Handbook” as defined in the RFU Rules;
- “Home Club” in relation to a Match, the Club on whose ground such Match is played or is to be played or (where such Match is not played) should have been played;
- “Laws of the Game” as set out in RFU Regulation 1;
- “Loan Player” as defined in RFU Regulation 1;
- “Match” any match forming part of the Championship;
- “Match Official” means any Referee, Reserve Referee, Assistant Referee, TV Match Official, Fourth Official and any other person appointed by the RFU to officiate at a Match;
- “Material Benefit” as defined in RFU Regulation 1;
- “Material Interest” a company, person or body shall be deemed to have a Material Interest in the event that such company, person or body, or any Associate thereof:
  - - holds directly or indirectly or otherwise controls 10% or more of the voting rights therein
  - - holds directly or indirectly or otherwise controls 10% or more of the share capital (voting or otherwise) therein
  - - is a director or secretary thereof
  - - is directly or indirectly involved in any capacity whatsoever in the management or administration thereof
  - - has the right directly or indirectly to appoint or otherwise control the appointment of the majority of the directors thereof;
- “Match Result Card” A card supplied by the RFU listing the names of the players and the result of a Match together with the number of tries scored to be completed and signed by or on behalf of the Clubs taking part in a match signed by the Referee in accordance with the provisions of regulation 3.5;d
- “Merger” the bringing together of separate entities into one economic entity as a result of one entity uniting with or obtaining control over the net assets and operations of another in which the shareholders of the combining entities come together in a partnership for the mutual sharing of risks and benefits of the combined entity, and in which no party to the combination in substance obtains control over any other, or is otherwise seen to be dominant, whether by virtue of the proportion of its shareholders rights in the combined entity, the influence of its directors or otherwise;
- “National League One” means the league in the English Clubs Championship operating immediately below the Championship;
- “Next Available Date” the first available and next following weekend or mid-week day (which may include a day prior to that upon which a match was originally scheduled to be played) upon which neither Club (in a match which requires rearrangement) is taking part in a match in a competition organised by the RFU;
- “Official” any Director, Secretary, servant or duly authorised (express or implied) representative of a Club;
- “Player” a Club player;
- “Premiership” the competition between clubs competing at level one of the English Clubs Championship known as “The Premiership”;
- “Professional Game Head Injury Assessment Review” The head injury assessment review which applies to the Championship Clubs, the process for which is provided to the Club;
- “Referee” a person appointed to act as the referee in a Match;
- “Registrar” the person set out in the Handbook to administer the registrations of players in accordance with RFU Regulation 14;
- “Registration of Players Regulations” those regulations governing the registration of Players set out in RFU Regulation 14;
- “Regulations” these Regulations of the Championship and any future variation as provided by regulation 1.3;
- “Reserve Referee” the person appointed to act as the reserve referee in a Match;
- “RFU” Rugby Football Union which is the sole governing body of the game inEngland;
- “RFU Regulations” the RFU’s Regulations as set out in the RFU’s Handbook and as amended from time to time;
- “Season” means the RFU Competition Season 2023-24 starting on Saturday 21st October 2023 until Sunday 2nd June 2024;
- “Sponsorship Agreement” any sponsorship agreement entered into by the RFU with a sponsor in relation to that sponsor’s sponsorship of the Championship under its brand, which is notified to a Club;
- “Tournament Director” tthe person appointed by the RFU to undertake the day to day management of the Championship on behalf of the RFU; the person appointed to act as the television match official for a
- “TV Match Official” Match, if applicable;
- “Visiting Club” in relation to a Match, the Club which plays or is to play or (where such Match is not played) should have played such Match at the ground of a Home Club, but is not the Home Club for such Match;
- “Weekend” any Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday or public holiday;
- “World Rugby” as defined in RFU Regulation 1.
- “xxxxxxxx” yyyyyyyyds
1.2 Interpretation
- (a) Where the context so admits:
  - (i) words importing the singular shall include the plural and vice versa; and
  - (ii) words importing persons shall include firms, corporations and unincorporated associations.
- (b) Reference to any Act, Statute or statutory provision shall include a reference to that Act, Statute or statutory provision as amended, re-enacted or replaced from time to time, whether before or after the date of adoption of these Regulations, and any former Act, Statute or statutory provision replaced (with or without modification) by the Act, Statute or statutory provision referred to and any subordinate legislation made thereunder respectively.
- (c) Section, Regulation and Appendix headings are for ease of reference only and shall not affect the construction of these Regulations.
1.3 Variations to these Regulationsd
These Regulations may be varied from time to time (whether by way of alteration, addition, deletion or otherwise) by the RFU Council. The RFU will consult with the Clubs or with an entity delegated by them before varying these Regulations.
1.4 Severability
If any of the provisions of these Regulations shall be found to be void or unenforceable, such provisions shall be deemed to be deleted from these Regulations and the remaining provisions of these Regulations shall continue in full force and effect and the RFU shall use its reasonable endeavours to procure following the procedures laid down by regulation 1.3 that such provision is replaced by a provision which is valid and enforceable and which gives effect to the spirit of these Regulations.
1.5 Delegation
Where a decision is taken or a right or power is expressed in these Regulations to be exercisable by the RFU, such decision or power shall (subject to the Rules of the RFU) be taken by the RFU Board of Directors or as delegated by it.
1.6 RFU Regulations
These Regulations are supplemental to the RFU Regulations which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall have full force and effect save that in the event of conflict between these Regulations and the RFU Regulations, the RFU Regulations (to the extent that they affect the Clubs) are deemed varied by these Regulations. In the event of conflict between these Regulations and Covid-19 Minimum Operating Standards, then the Covid-19 Minimum Standards shall prevail.
1.7 Management of the Competition
- (a) The RFU shall be responsible for the regulation of the Competition and the administration and organisational aspects shall be the responsibility of the Disputes Committee.
- (b) The RFU shall have the power to delegate any of its powers, duties or obligations under these Regulations to the Disputes Committee, who in turn may delegate as it so determines to the RFU Rugby Events and Competitions Department.
1.8 Covid Variations
- (a) In order to cater for the ongoing impact of the global Covid crisis on rugby union in England (and such other infectious disease and/or public health emergency),Covid regulatory variations have been agreed and put in place to ensure that, as far as possible, the regulations are flexible enough to deal with and adapt to the ever-changing Covid (or other, as applicable) landscape. This flexibility needs to be balanced against the overriding objective of the RFU to deliver meaningful and authentic competition and maintain the integrity of the competition and toensure the player welfare is at the forefront.
- (b) These Variations are set out in RFU Regulation 22 and apply to this Competition. In the event of any conflict between RFU Regulation 22 and the remainder of these Regulations, RFU Regulation 22 shall prevail.
1.9 Covid–19 Minimum Operating Standards
The clubs shall abide by any Covid Minimum Operating Standards agreed and amended by the RFU from time to time and notified to the Clubs.

2. THE COMPETITION

2.1 Name
The name of the competition is “The RFU Championship” or such other name as is approved by the RFU which may include the name of sponsor and shall be between those Clubs as are specified in regulation 2.2 below. All matches in the Competition shall be played under the Laws of the Game published by World Rugby and in compliance with these Regulations and with the RFU Regulations insofar as the latter are not atvariance with these Regulations.
2.2 Structure
- (a) The participants of the Championship will comprise in Season 2023-2024.
  - Ampthill - Doncaster Knights
  - Bedford Blues - Ealing Trailfinders
  - Caldy Hartpury - University
  - Cambridge - Jersey Reds
  - Cornish Pirates - London Scottish
  - Coventry Rugby - Nottingham Rugby
- (b) Each Club shall play each other Club on a home and away basis over 22 Rounds. There will be no play-off or knock-out stage.
- (c) The winner of the Championship will play the lowest ranking team at the end of the Premiership in Season 2023-24, with the winner of that match being promoted to or remaining in the Premiership, provided such Club meets or addresses to the satisfaction of the RFU the minimum standards criteria for promotion to the Premiership.
2.3 Conditions of Participation
A rugby union club shall not be entitled to be or to remain a participant of the Championship unless it is a member of the RFU or licensed to play in the Championship by the RFU. Participation in the Championship and any funding (whether financial or value in kind) provided by or on behalf of the RFU or a third party for participation in the Championship shall be conditional upon the Club complying with these regulations, including regulation 2.4 and in particular any commercial agreements entered into by the RFU in respect of the Competition, pursuant to regulation 12.
2.4 Agreement by the Clubs
- (a) Participation in the Championship shall constitute an agreement between the RFU and each of the Clubs, to the same extent as if they had each signed and sealed these Regulations, to be bound by and to comply with:
  - (i) these Regulations and the schedules attached;
  - (ii) the Laws of the Game, including cooperating in full with any law trials or law variations that the RFU may adopt;
  - (iii) any Sponsorship Agreement;
  - (iv) the Rules, Regulations and Bye-Laws for the time being of World Rugby and RFU;
  - (v) such other agreements entered into of which the Clubs have notice and from which the Clubs derive financial benefit (including without prejudice to the generality of these Regulations any agreement for Broadcasting rights).
- (b) Participation in the Championship constitutes an agreement between the RFU and between each Club and any other party to any Sponsorship Agreement and any Match Official involved in any Match (or cancellation or abandonment thereof) and as a separate covenant with each other Club that, to the extent permitted by law, it will not hold liable or make any claim against any of the foregoing or any Official:
  - (i) for any loss cost charge compensation or expense arising out of or in connection with any kind of injury or illness suffered by any player, spectator or other person;
  - (ii) for any damage to property of any kind;
  - (iii) for any other loss, cost, charge, expense or damages be it economic financial consequential or for loss of profit incurred or otherwise and whether directly or consequential; or
  - (iv) for any loss of any description howsoever arising or alleged to arise from or in relation to the result of any Match
- arising out of or due to any decision or action that any Match Official or the RFU may take (or failed to have taken) under the Laws of the Game, these Regulations or any other rules or regulations published in the Handbook or which have been properly introduced by the RFU or in respect of the normal procedures to hold, play, control, cancel or abandon a Match.
- (c) The agreements referred to in paragraphs (a) (b) and (c) of this regulation shall have effect in relation to a Club from the date such Club shall participate in the Championship and, subject as hereinafter provided, shall continue until the date such Club shall cease to participate in the Championship. The cessation of those agreements shall be without prejudice to any claims or rights of action arising prior to such Club ceasing to be a member of the Championship and to any regulations which, by their terms, are expressed or intendedto continue after such Club shall cease to participate in the Championship.
2.5 Ceasing to Participate
- (a) A Club shall not be entitled to terminate its participationin the Championship except at the end of a Season. In the event that a Club shall desire to cease its participation in theChampionship, then it shall give provisional notice in writing ofsuch desire to the RFU by 26th July 2023 in the Season. Such notice must be confirmed by further notice in writing to the RFU Legal and Governance Director by 25th August 2023 in such Season and, in the event that such further notice is not given, such Club shall be deemedto have withdrawn such provisional notice and shall, subject to any other provisions of theseRegulations, continue to remain a member of the Championship. In the event that such furthernotice is given, then such Club shall cease to participate in the Championship at the end of such Season.
- (b) The RFU, may, upon such terms and conditions as it may from time to time think fit, allow a Club to terminate its participation in the Championship otherwise than in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (a) of this regulation.
- (c) If the RFU considers that a Club shall be expelled or suspended from the Championship, the RFU, may then, by resolution and upon such terms and conditions as it may specify in such resolution, expel or suspend a Club from participation in the Championship, subject to the Club’s right of appeal to the Appeals Panel. In the case of expulsion, it is accepted that the RFU may but not be obliged to place such expelled Club in such league below the Championship as the RFU itself shall determine where the Club will be so placed in its absolute discretion.
- (d) In addition to provisions of paragraphs (a) to (c) of this regulation, a Club shall cease to participate in the Championship, in the event that it shall so cease to be a member of the RFU in accordance with the provisions of regulation 2.3.
- (e) In the event that a Club shall cease to participate in the Championship, otherwise than in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (a) of this regulation or by reason of its promotion or relegation from the Championship pursuant to these regulations, such Club shall indemnify and keep indemnified the RFU and each of the other Clubs against any losses, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses suffered or incurred by the RFU and/or such other Clubs as a consequence of such Club so ceasing to be a member of the Championship or as a consequence of any breach by such Club of any of these Regulations, including (but without limitation) any loss of income or profits under any broadcasting, sponsorship or other commercial agreement or arrangement entered into by the RFU and/or such other Clubs in relation to the Championship.
2.6 Education Modules
All Clubs must ensure that all Players, Academy Players, coaching personnel, medical personnel and/or such other individuals as notified to the Club by the RFU, complete in full any education modules that may be developed and prescribed by the RFU on such conditions and by the timeframe notified to those individuals who are required to complete the module. Any failure to comply with this regulation and/or failure by any individual who is required to complete the module by the stipulated timeframe may result in sanction which will be determined by the RFU.

3. THE CHAMPIONSHIP

3.1 Rankings and Qualifications for Championship
- (a) The position of a Club in the Championship shall be established by awarding four league points for a win and two league points for a draw. In addition, one bonus league point will be awarded to a team:
  - i) On each occasion it scores four or more tries in a Championship match
  - ii) On each occasion it loses a Championship match by seven points or less.
- (b) In the case of equality of league points, positions in the table shall be determined firstly by the number of wins achieved in the Championship and then on the basis of match points differential in the Championship. A Club with a larger number of winsshall be placed higher than aClub with the same number of league points butfewer wins. If Clubs have equal league points and equal number of wins then a Club with a larger difference between match points “for” and match points “against” shall be placed higher in the Championship than a Club with a smaller difference between match points “for” and match points “against”. Should two Clubs have the same number of league points, the same wins and the same match points difference, the Club having scored more match points “for” shall be placed higher in the Championship than the Club having the lesser number of match points “for”. If this still does not establish the positions then the Clubs involved shall be ranked according to the number of matches won, excluding the first league match of the season. If necessary, this processshall be extended to exclude the second match, third match and so on until the final positions are established.
3.2 Promotion and Relegation
- a) Thewinner oftheChampionshipwill play the lowest ranking team at the end of the Premiership Season 2023-24, provided such Club meets or addressesto the satisfaction of the RFU the minimum standards criteria for promotion to the Premiership, with the winner of such match being promoted to, or remaining in the Premiership and the loser being relegated to, or remaining in the Championship.
- b) The bottom placed Club in the Championship at the end of 22 Rounds (having applied regulation 3.1) will be relegated to National League One.
- c) In the event that a Club shall cease to be a participant in the Championship pursuant to regulation 2.3 or regulation 2.5, then, with effect from the end of the Season in which such Club shall so cease to be a participant in the Championship, such alterations and/or additions shall be made to the provisions of this regulation 3.2 as the RFU may think fit so as to achievesuch other number of clubs in the Championship as approved by the RFU.
- d) No Club may directly or indirectly make any financial or other inducement to any club in the English Clubs Championship so that it does not accept its place in the Championship.
3.3 Eligibility and Restriction on Players.
- (a) A Club may only play or select as a replacement, Players who hold Effective Registration for that Club.
- (b) The Transfer Deadline for Championship Clubs will be as set out in RFU Regulation 1.
- (c) A Club may not in any Match have in the match day squad at any one time more than two Foreign Players.
(Warning: The Computerised Record held by the RFU is the only and conclusive evidence of a Player’s Effective Registration save in the case of such registration having been made as a result of inaccurate, false or misleading information having been provided in which case the effective registration will be void and invalid from the date of initial registration).
- (d) A Club may not play or select as a replacement or substitute in a Match more than 13 players from another club of which no more than three shall be Loan Players and the others (up to the maximum of 10) must be England Academy Players under the age of 24 as at 1 September 2023.
3.4 Replacements
- (a) Subject to 3.4 (b), in all Matches up to eight (8) replacements and substitutes are permitted in accordance with Law 3 and World Rugby resolutions/rulings/directives relating thereto and each Club shall comply with such Law and resolutions/rulings/directives.
- (b) In the interests of safety each team must have at least five (5) (or six (6) in the case of a 23 person squad) fit and able Players in the squad who can play at hooker, tight head prop and loose head prop who are suitably trained and experienced to ensure that on the first occasion that a replacement in any front row position is required (whether due to injury or consequent to a Player(s) being temporarily suspended or ordered off) the team can continue to play safely with contested scrums. In the event that a club is unable to field those six players, the match shall be referred to the Disputes Committee to determine if the match can go ahead and/or such other consequence in accordance with these regulations and RFU Regulation 22 (as applicable).
- (c) If on any occasion where uncontested scrums are ordered by the Referee as a result of there being no suitably trained and experienced front row replacement for any reason (which includes injury, temporary blood injury, temporary exclusion (i.e. following a yellow card) or permanent exclusion (i.e. following a sending off)), the team concerned shall not be entitled to replace the Player whose departure caused the uncontested scrums. On return to the field of play of the front row Player who has been temporarily excluded or injured the Match shall continue with contested scrums.
- (d) If a Match is completed with or contains uncontested scrums, the Club that was responsible for causing uncontested scrums must upon the request of the RFU provide to the RFU such information as it may require including if requested a medical report identifying the injuries sustained by its front row players which must be signed by the Club doctor. The RFU may take such action it deems appropriate in respect of any suspected, alleged or actual breach of this regulation 3.4 as it shall decide and shall notify all Clubs. Any Club may appeal against the decision of the RFU in accordance with RFU Regulation 19.
- (e) A substitution card issued by the RFU will be used for the management of replacements on and off the pitch.
- (f) During and following a Match the following procedure will be utilised.
  - (i) On the day of the Match, the team’s nominated person will be situated during the Match in theTechnical Zone. The team’s nominated person will have at their disposal as many replacement cards as they require.
  - (ii) When it is decided that a Player must be replaced, they then complete the details on the form, giving all the requested details (names, numbers, reasons, times, whether injury replacement (permanent or temporary) or tactical substitution).
  - (iii) Once this form is completed, it is handed to the Fourth Official instructing him of the replacement at the next opportunity.
  - (iv) After the match, the Fourth Official will retain the forms used for the replacements for the remainder of the Season for inspection if required.
3.5 Match Result Card
- (a) An authorised representative of a Club participating in a Match must submit to the Referee for such Match, at least one hour before the kick-off time for such Match, an accurate Match Result Card (in electronic format) containing a list of the full names of each of the Players of that Club who are to take part or act as replacements in such Match.
- (b) If a Player on the Match Result Card submitted to the Referee in accordance with the provisions of regulation 3.5(a) sustains an injury after such Match Result Card is submitted to the Referee but before kick-off of the Match, they may be replaced by another Player and the Referee must be informed of this immediately and such Match Result Card must be amended accordingly. Should the status of a substitution alter to be a replacement either during or after the match, the Match Result Card must be amended to reflect any such change.
- (c) The Home Club shall, within four hours after the end of the Match, complete and sign (by electronic signature) the Match Result Card and submit it to the designated RFU department and such person or agency as may be determined and notified to the Clubs from time to time. The Referee and Visiting Club shall also sign (by electronic signature) the Match Result Card for further certification. The RFU shall hold the definitive table of results for the Championship.
- (d) The online electronically generated Match Result Card will be the only evidence acceptable from a Club of the names of the Players who played or were replacements for the Match without prejudice to the right of the Club to produce supporting evidence in the event of a question being raised.
NOTE: ONCE THE MATCH RESULT CARD HAS BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE REFEREE (OR THEIR DESIGNEE) IT CANNOT BE ALTERED OTHER THAN IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES SET OUT IN REGULATION 3.5 (b) ABOVE. THE CLUB LAYS ITSELF OPEN TO SANCTION UNDER THESE REGULATIONS IN THE EVENT THE REFEREE REPORTS NON-COMPLIANCE WITH THIS REGULATION 3.5 OR ABUSE OF THE REFEREE OR MATCH OFFICIALS WHICH IS FOUND TO HAVE BEEN SUBSTANTIATED.
PROVIDING FALSE INFORMATION ON PLAYERS OR REPLACEMENTS TAKING PART IN A CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH SHALL BE A SERIOUS OFFENCE.
3.6 Club ceasing to play
If a Club ceases to participate the Championship during the Season for any reason and prior to the time when it has played all the Championship matches which it is scheduled to play during such Season, the RFU shall in its absolute discretion impose any such penalty as it deems appropriate which may include but not be limited to:
- (a) variation or deduction of any Championship league or match points from the Club concerned for the current season or following season and/or
- (b) any Championship league or match points allocated to any other Club as a result of a Championship match against the Club concerned being disregarded for the current Season and/or.
- (c) suspension of the Club concerned or one or more of its teams from playing one or more matches and/or
- (d) relegation of the Club concerned and/or
- (e) imposition of a fine payable to whom the RFU directs or compensation payable to another Club or Clubs
In the event it is disputed by the Club concerned that it has ceased to participate in the Championship the decision of the RFU, subject to the Club’s right of appeal pursuant to Regulation 19, shall be final.
3.7 Trophy
- (a) The Club declared the Championship winner in accordance with these Regulations shall hold the trophy until no later than 31 March of the following season whereupon it must be returned to the RFU in good order and condition. The RFU will aim to present the trophy at the winning club’s last home match of the season each year.
- (b) During such time as a Club shall hold the Championship trophy:
  - (i) it shall be responsible for insuring such trophy in the joint names of RFU and such Club in the full replacement value thereof against loss or damage by such risks as RFU shall from time to time specify;
  - (ii) it shall, at the request from time to time of RFU, supply to RFU such evidence of such insurance as the RFU may require; and
  - (iii) in the event of any loss or damage to such trophy, it shall forthwith replace or repair such trophy as necessary and, without prejudice to this obligation, it shall apply monies received from any such insurance in so doing.
- (c) For the avoidance of doubt, there shall be no other trophies for the Championship, save as agreed by the RFU.
3.8 Match Footage
- (a) TheRFU (and its contracted third parties) will instruct the Clubs asto whether any Match will be filmed (whether for broadcast or non-broadcast purposes) and what requirements, assistance, facilities and equipment the Clubs need to provide in order to enable the RFU, the Clubs (and its contracted third parties) to film the Matches (which will include, without limitation, the Home Club providing a direct line video feed from the camera gantry to the Visiting Club’s coaching desk space for the purposes of live transmission of the Match) and all Clubs agree to meet those requirements and to provide such assistance, facilities and equipment as the RFU (and its contracted third parties) may request.
- (b) In respect of all Matches, each Championship club will be responsible for uploading the footage of each Match (including match day warm-up): (i) in electronic format and available for download by the RFU as soon as reasonably possible following a Match; and (ii) for use on a free of charge basis for officiating and discipline, coaching, player performance, injury surveillance and research, and game wide analysis projects agreed by the Professional Game Board.
3.9 Team Declarations
- (a) Each Club must announce the squad selected to represent it in a particular Match and numbered in accordance with WorldRugbyRegulations asif the Match were an international match (for the avoidance of doubt, this requires the selected players to be named and numbered 1 to 23 and must include selected players only rather than potential alternatives or substitutes) to the Tournament Director and/or its designee and to the media no later than 12 noon on Friday before Saturday, Sunday or Monday Matches and, in the case of Matches taking place on any other days, no later than 12 noon on the day immediately prior to such Match.
- (b) Any changes to a squad due to a certified injury or illness (certification of which must be provided to the RFU upon the RFU’s request) after the official announcement detailed in regulation 3.9 (a) must be communicated to the Tournament Director before or as soon as practicably possible after the Match and no later than 24 hours after the conclusion of the Match. Failureto announce the correct team or inform the Tournament Director of a change due to injuryor illness will result in a penalty at the RFU’s discretion.

4. MATCH & FIXTURE MANAGEMENT

4.1 Arrangement of Fixtures
- (a) All Match Weekends to be played during a Season shall be arranged by the RFU as soon as reasonably practicable following the end of the immediately preceding Season and a list of such Matches shall be sent to each of the Clubs.
- (b) All Clubs shall confirm to the RFU the dates and kick off times of the fixtures on the Weekends as notified by the RFU on a date as determined by the RFU which upon agreementby the RFU shall become the Fixture List for the Season. For each round the Home Club may select a Weekend date on the allocated round Weekend or a day in between such allocatedround Weekends.
- (c) All Matches shall be played on the dates and at the times scheduled in the Fixture List save (i) where both clubs agree to rearrange a fixture and the RFU has given its written approval or (ii) where the RFU decides to rearrange a fixture date and/or time (including any fixture dates organised pursuant to regulation 4.1 (b) above) if deemed appropriate, having consulted with both Clubs. Such decision shall be binding on each Club and the RFU.
- (d) A Championship match kick-off must, so far as possible, adhere to the time on the Fixture List or any change to that time approved by the RFU.
- (e) The Referee must report to the RFU a delay in kick-off of more than ten minutes.
4.2 Kick-Off Times
- (a) In respect of Championship matches, except as provided in regulation 4.2 (b) and (c), the Home Club shall fix the time of kick-off of its Championship match as follows:
  - (i) between 12 noon and 5.30pm in each case for a Championship match played on a Saturday, Sunday, bank holiday or other public holiday; and
  - (ii) between 7pm and 8pm for a Championship match played on a Thursday, Friday or on any other day as directed from time to time by the RFU.
- (b) Subject to regulation 4.2 (c) below, any variations to the timings referred to in regulation 4.2(a) shall only be made by the Home Club with the prior approval of the RFU or its delegated nominee. Such decision shall be binding on each Club and the RFU. In the event of a variation in the time fixed for the kick-off of a Championship match, the RFU shall forthwith notify the Visiting Club and Referee and Match Officials in writing of such variation.
- (c) Notwithstanding any other provisions of these Regulations, the RFU has the absolute right to select or alter the proposed kick-off time when notified in advance of proposed changes.
- (d) In relation to a Championship match televised or streamed live, the RFU shall, as soon as reasonably practicable, determine the day on the published weekend and time of kickoff of such Championship match. For the avoidance of doubt the RFU may determine that a televised or streamed match may be scheduled for any day of the week or time. Such decision shall be binding on each Club and the RFU. The RFU shall notify each Club and the officials of the kick-off times with which each Club will comply.
4.3 Duration of Matches
- (a) All Matches shall be of 80 minutes duration, divided into two halves of 40 minutes each. In all Matches other than televised Matches, the interval between each of the two halves shall be 15 minutes (unless both teams agree to a shorter interval and the broadcaster so agrees in respect of matches which are being broadcast) during which time the teams may leave the pitch. For televised or streamed Matches the Broadcaster may determine the duration of the half-time interval.
- (b) Any Match which from any cause whatsoever falls short of 80 minutes duration may be ordered to count as a completed fixture or to be replayed in full, as the RFU may determine, subject to the right of the affected Clubs to appeal pursuant to RFU Regulation 19.
4.4 Postponed Matches
- (a) If a fixture isin doubt due to the pitch being unplayable because of bad weather or the forecast of bad weather, the visiting team must be informed as soon as practicable. A suitably accredited independent RFU Referee (not a person, whether a Referee or not, who regularly acts as a Clubs' Fifth Official or who is a member of the home club) must confirm the postponement after an inspection of the match pitch. Such a pitch inspection by an independent Referee must take place before the time the visiting team intend to travel to fulfil the fixture. Where a pitch inspection has taken place on the day prior to the day of the Match and it is decided that the match should not be postponed, a further pitch inspection must take place on the day of the Match by no later than 10am on that day or 3 hours prior to kick off of the Match (whichever is earlier).
- (b) If the independent Referee having undertaken an inspection deems the pitch unplayable and/or likely to be unplayable the home club must act on that judgement and immediately postpone the fixture. If the independent Referee deems the pitch playable and/or likely to be playable the Home Club must act on that judgement and notify the visiting team accordingly.
- (c) If this procedure is not followed and the fixture is postponed, because the pitch is unplayable, and if the visiting team have travelled to fulfil the fixture the Home Club may be responsible for 50% of the costs of travel and accommodation incurred by the visiting team or other sanction as deemed appropriate by the RFU. Such costs will be payable by the Home Club within 28 days from receipt of the relevant invoice and supporting copy invoices from the visiting team.
- (d) When a late decision within 3 hours of kick-off as to the fitness of the pitch for playing a match is necessary, the decision shall be made by the captains of the teams involved. If the captains are not able to agree, the decision as to the fitness of the pitch should be made by the appointed Referee in accordance with 4.4(a) above. If the match is postponed the Home Club must notify the RFU within 4 hours of the decision to postpone. If the Referee declines or fails to make a decision, and the captains disagree about the fitness of the pitch, the match shall be immediately postponed and the circumstances notified to the RFU within 48 hours of the decision to postpone. Regulation 4.4(c) must be adhered to in addition to the provisions set out in any such related protocol that may be provided to the Clubs by the RFU.
- (e) If the Match is postponed for any reason other than the weather, the home Club must follow the procedure outlined in (d) above.
4.5 Abandoned Matches
(a) Weather Conditions (which shall be deemed to include bad light in the sole opinion of the referee):
- (i) Less than 60 Minutes Played
- If adverse Weather conditions solely prevent a Match being played or result in a Match being abandoned with less than sixty minutes having been played, then the Match will be replayed in accordance with regulation 4.7 unless the RFU exceptionally and in its absolute discretion agrees / specifies otherwise.
- (ii) 60 or more Minutes Played
- If a Match is abandoned solely because of Weather conditions when sixty or more minutes have been played, then the score at the moment of abandonment shall stand and be deemed the final score in the Match. The Referee’s decision as to the necessity for abandonment and the number of minutes played at the moment of abandonment shall be final.
(b) Other Reasons
- If the Referee finds it necessary to abandon a Match for any reason other than Weather conditions, then, irrespective of the number of minutes played, the result of that Match shall be reviewed and determined by the RFU (or its delegate). The RFU (or its delegate) may order the Match to be replayed in accordance with regulation 4.7 and/or impose such other sanction and/or any other action as it deems appropriate.
4.6 Notification
- (a) When a Match is abandoned, the Home Club must notify the RFU (or its delegate) in writing of the reason for non-completion of the Match as soon as possible but in any event within 24 hoursof the Match.
- (b) A Match Result Card (which has been duly signed by the Referee) must also be submitted in accordance with regulation 3.5 which, if appropriate, states the number of minutes played, the score, and the reason for the abandonment.
4.7 Re-scheduling or Re-arranging Matches
A Championship Match shall be played/replayed on a date specified by the RFU. For the avoidance of doubt the RFU may specify the Next Available Date and therefore all Clubs must have access to a ground which meets the required standards in accordance with regulations 5.3 and 5.4 and has a pitch which is suitably floodlit and meets the requirements set out in regulation 5.8.
4.8 Clubs unable to fulfil fixtures
- (a) No Club shall, without just cause (it being for the RFU to determine whether or not just cause exists), fail to fulfil its fixture obligations in respect of a Match on the date and at the time appointed for such fixture.
- (b) In the event that a Club shall so fail to fulfil a Match the RFU may, and subject to the Club’s right of appeal pursuant to RFU Regulation 19, in its absolute discretion in the case of Matches award the league points to either side, divide the league points between the sides or decide that no league points shall be awarded. If the RFU is of the view that a Club has unjustifiably failed to fulfil its obligations in relation to any Match it may deduct league points and/or make an order for a fine to be imposed and/or award compensation and/or award the result of the Match to the other Club. In addition or instead it may order the Match to be postponed or re-arranged or replayedon a date specified by it or impose such other sanction as it considers appropriate. In each case the RFU shall have regard to the likely final positions of each Club at the end of the Season (including other Clubs) the commitments of each Club concerned and giving priority to arguments of the Club which was not at fault in the event of a dispute on any re-arranged Match date. All decisions of the RFU pursuant to this regulation 4.8 shall be final subject only to the right of the affected Clubs to appeal the decision pursuant to RFU Regulation 19.
- (c) Lack of available Players whether through injury, illness or because of other commitments is not a valid reason for failing to fulfil a fixture. The result of the match may be determined by the Disputes Committee, who may also impose a further sanction if the RFU determines (in their sole discretion) that the Club has unjustifiably failed to fulfil the Match.
- NOTE. SUBJECT TO ITS RIGHT OF APPEAL A CLUB LAYS ITSELF OPEN TO A PENALTY TO BE IMPOSED (WHICH MAY INCLUDE THE CLUB BEING DEDUCTED LEAGUE POINTS IN THE CURRENT SEASON OR THE FOLLOWING SEASON)IF THE RFU IS OF THE VIEW THAT A CLUB HAS UNJUSTIFIABLY FAILED TO FULFILITS OBLIGATIONS TO PLAY A MATCH.
- (c) Any Club which is suspended from playing rugby union football for disciplinary reasons will not be permitted to re-arrange any Match falling to be played within the period of the suspension. The effects thereof on the non-offending Clubs in the Championship shall be dealt with by the RFU in its absolute discretion but subject to a right of appeal by any affected Club.
- (d) In addition to and whether or not a penalty is imposed upon a Club by the RFU where in the opinion of the RFU the Club failed to honour its Match obligations a Club shall be liable to pay to any opposing Club compensation in respect of the losses, damages liabilities, costs or expenses suffered or incurred by such opposing Club as a result of such failure. The amount ofsuch compensation will in default of agreement between the opposing Clubs be determined by the RFU.
4.9 Clubs Not To Arrange Matches Which Interfere With Fixtures
- (a) Clubs shall not arrange other matches during a Season until after the Fixture List for that Season has been sent to Clubs in accordance with the provisions of regulation 4.1(a).
- (b) Clubs desiring to arrange matches other than Matches must ensure that such matches do not interfere with Matches.
4.10 Disputes
Any matter and/or disputes pertaining to this regulation 4 must be notified to the RFU and where appropriate, will be referred to the Disputes Committee (whether in their own discretion or as a result of referral pursuant to 15.5(a) below) to determine how such matter will be dealt with. Decisions of the Disputes Committee shall be final and binding subject to the right of appeal tothe Appeals Panel.

5. GROUNDS

5.1 Registration of Ground
Each Club shall by 26th July 2023 register its principal pitch at its home ground (together with the Club’s contracted standby ground, if it has one and any temporary ground) with the RFU for the attention of the RFU Legal and Governance Director. No Club shall move to another ground or pitch or play any home Matches during the Season on a ground or pitch other than the registered principal home pitch, the registered contracted standby ground or temporary ground or such other ground as may be pre-approved in writing by the RFU who have the absolute right to decide and who in taking any such decision may apply such criteria as it in its absolute discretion deems appropriate. Each Club shall simultaneously register with the RFU Legal and Governance Director the pitch size at such grounds. If a club wishes to relocate to another temporary ground during the Season it may only do so provided RFU prior approval is given in accordance with RFU Regulation 3.8.
5.2 Facilities and Equipment
- (a) All Clubs in the Championship shall be obliged to use a specified ball for all Matches as may be determined by the RFU from time to time.
- (b) Each Home Club shall, subject to any requirements in the Broadcasting Agreement, provide the Visiting Club with a reasonably adequate location for use by the Visiting Club’s appointed video cameraman and video camera for the purpose of filming the Match.
5.3 The Pitch
- (a) Each Club shall take all reasonable steps to maintain its pitch to an adequate standard. The RFU may require a Club to take such steps as it shall specify if it is not satisfied that its pitch is being maintained to an adequate standard.
- (b) Each Club’s pitch shall comply with the Laws of the Game and any World Rugby ruling and/or directions and any RFU Regulations relating to artificial pitches, relating to the same. Furthermore, no Club shall change its pitch size from the size at the start of the season and as registered in accordance with regulation 5.1.
- (c) The Home Club is responsible for correctly and clearly marking its pitch and it must make proper provision to ensure that all spectators are kept at a reasonable distance from the field of play by a permanent barrier.
- (d) The Home Club shall provide the Visiting Club with six seats in two blocks of three, one behind the other, on, or in close proximity to, the halfway line in a reasonably elevated position for the coaching staff and match analysis staff of the Visiting Club.
- (e) Each Club must make provision for two Technical Areas as outlined in Schedule 1 of the Regulations and shall comply and shall ensure that all coaching and Players comply with the requirements contained therein.
- (f) Any Player temporarily suspended when playing in a Match must remain in the Sin Bin or leave the playing enclosure and be clearly and readily identifiable to the Fourth Official.
- (g) Any Player ordered off must leave the playing enclosure.
- (h) The RFU shall be entitled from time to time to require that:
  - (i) a pitch carries branding advertising the Championship in such form and position as the RFU may from time to time require and in accordance with the Sponsorship Agreement;
  - (ii) no other pitch branding, including the Club’s logo, shall be permitted without the prior consent of the RFU; and
  - (iii) there be displayed such perimeter advertising and advertising in other areas of a ground provided for advertising, in each case advertising the Championship in such form and position as the RFU may from time to time require and in accordance with the Sponsorship Agreement.
5.4 Safety
All Clubs must have a valid health and safety certificate in respect of their ground at the time Matches are played at their grounds.
5.5 Tickets for Administrators and Supporters
- (a) In respect of each of its home Matches a Club shall:
  - (i) provide at least six (6) best category tickets to the Visiting Club, free of charge for the use of the Visiting Club’s directors and committee members; such tickets shall include the provision of hosted hospitality free of charge and the Visiting Club shall notify the Home Club as soon as reasonably practicable if the same are not required;
  - (ii) provide at least thirty (30) tickets (Main stand and under cover) to the Visiting Club, free of charge for the use of the Visiting Club’s Players, Officials and/or other representatives, and the Visiting Club shall notify the Home Club as soon as reasonably practicable if the same are not required;
  - (iii) Make at least 10% of each category of tickets available for purchase by the Visiting Club, on sale at the venue of the Home Club, with the deadline for purchase being fourteen (14) days before the day of the Match before being made available by the Home Club for general sale. Payments shall be made within fourteen (14) days after the day of the Match;
  - (iv) provide to any Sponsor the number of tickets required by the Sponsorship Agreement.
- (b) No Home Club shall charge higher prices to supporters of the Visiting Club for admission comparable with that used by supporters of the Home Club (not being members of the Home Club) who arrive at its ground on the day of a Match seeking a ticket for admission.
- (c) Payment for tickets sold in respect of a Match by the Visiting Club and for any tickets supplied to the Visiting Club but not returned to the Home Club shall be made by the Visiting Club to the Home Club no later than fourteen (14) days before the Match.
5.6 Closed Circuit Television
With the prior written approval of the RFU and the Broadcaster if required under any Broadcasting Agreement, a Club may arrange for a Match in which it is involved to be relayed by closed circuit television to other locations, provided that no such approval is required where it is relayed within the ground of the Home Club.
5.7 Public Liability Insurance
Each Club shall on request produce to the RFU evidence that it has public liability insurance cover for a minimum of £10 million for each Match covered by these Regulations and in accordance with any insurance requirement under the Sponsorship Agreement.
5.8 Floodlights
Any Club with the facility of and which plays matches under floodlights at any time of the Season is required to provide lights of sufficient lux value so as to ensure the playing of the match is safe. Illumination levels must be checked by a suitably qualified electrical engineer and recorded against the levels of light required for the standard of play and shall be not less than 350 lux in respect of televised Match and not less than 200 lux for all other competitive matches and 100 lux for training. Clubs that use floodlights for a Match are required to have them turned on at the start of theMatch.

6. PLAYING KIT

6.1 Colours
- (a) No later than 28th July 2023 immediately prior to the commencement of the following Season, each Club shall give to the RFU details in writing (including images front and back) of its first and second choice colours in relation to jerseys, shorts and socks and the first and second choice must be of distinctly different colours. For the avoidance of doubt, it is considered highly desirable that the first choice kit (jerseys, shorts and socks) is predominantly one colour with the second kit a totalcontrast. The RFU shall approve such colours subject to the proviso that all potential colour clashes can be managed within these Regulations and to the satisfaction of the Championship broadcasters. If the RFU has not indicated its approval or otherwise no later than 11th August 2023 prior to the commencement of the Season its approval shall be deemed to have been given. The colours so notified to and approved by the RFU by each Club shall be worn during the next following Season by such Club and no changes in such colours shall be permitted during the course of such Season, except with the prior written approval of the RFU.
- (b) The RFU shall determine which choice of colours a Club wears in any Match, it is appropriate in its absolute discretion, but will endeavour to allow a Home Club to wear their first choice colours.
- (c) Each Club must have available for every Match two sets of kit in case a change of kit is required due to muddy conditions or colour clash.
6.2 Jersey to Bear Logo on Sleeves
If directed by the RFU, Clubs must ensure that the only sponsorship branding or logo on the left shoulder and left sleeve of each Player’s jersey shall be a logo in a style and position designated by the RFU.
6.3 Jersey Advertising
In Matches, Players’ jerseys may carry advertising subject to:
- (i) any requirement from time to time specified by the RFU and/or World Rugby;
- (ii) for televised matches, any terms and conditions for the time being laid down in any contracts in respect of broadcasting referred to in regulation 12.1;
- (iii) any terms and conditions for the time being laid down in the Sponsorship Agreement and any contracts referred to in regulation 12.2; and
- (iv) there being no branding/advertising of any sort on the left sleeve of the jersey other than the logo referred to in regulation 6.2 above.
6.4 Numbering of Jerseys
In Matches in each season jerseys shall be numbered in accordance with World Rugby Regulations as if each Match were an international match. All Clubs must only use the letters and numbers in a form approved by the RFU.

7. MATCH OFFICIALS

7.1 Selection
As soon as practicable and in any event five (5) days before a Match, the RFU shall notify the relevant Club(s) of the Match Officials for such Match.
7.2 Home Club’s Responsibilities
- (a) In relation to all Matches in the Championship, the Home Club shall be responsible for making available to the Match Officials separate suitable changing room facilities.
- (b) Each Home Club shall provide a nominated Fifth Official for each match who shall work under the direction of the Referee. The Fifth Official will:
  - (i) Ensure that they are introduced to the other Match Officials;
  - (ii) Work alongside and under the authority of the other Match Officials and be responsible for the administration of ALL substitutions and replacements (blood or otherwise).
  - (iii) Under the direction of the Fourth Official:
    - • Be responsible for logging all such movements, noting the names, reason and time of substitution on the Match Result Card. They are also responsible for ensuring the correct nomination of front row replacements, and informing the referee of their identities at least 45 minutes prior to kick-off.
    - • Be responsible in conjunction with the Referee and an official of the visiting team for accurately completing the Match Result Card and obtaining the necessary signatures. Copies of the Match Result Cards should be retained by the home Clubs until the end of the Season to which they apply in case reference is needed in the future.
    - • Be responsible for monitoring the time penalty for a Player sent to the sin-bin. They will ensure that the suspended Player remains in the designated area, separate from the replacements bench, until the full time penalty has elapsed. The Fourth Official will then notify the Referee via an Assistant Referee that the Player can rejoin the Match.
  - (iv) At all times during the match be readily available at the pitch side. They must not sit in the stand nor leave the pitch-side during the match; and
  - (v) Not combine their role as Fifth Official with any other formal role during the match e.g. also acting as a Team Manager.
- (c) In the event that one of the appointed Match Officials have to be replaced for any reason, the FourthOfficial will take over as an Assistant Referee. Their duties will be determined by the Match Referee but will not normally extend beyond indicating when the ball or a Player carrying theball is in touch and indicating a successful or unsuccessful kick at goal.

8. MEDICAL MATTERS

8.1 Attendance of a Medical Practitioner for Players, the Referee and the Assistant Referees
- (a) At all Championship Matches two appropriately qualified medical practitioners as defined in the applicable minimum standards criteria document (as provided to the Clubs) must be present pitch side to attend to Players, the Referee and the Assistant Referees during the Match, at half-time and immediately after the Match, and in order to implement the World Rugby Head Injury Assessment Protocol. The World Rugby Head Injury Assessment Protocol and the World Rugby Core Mandatory Concussion Player Welfare Standards must be complied with fully.
- (b) The Home Club and Visiting Club are each responsible for providing one appropriately qualified medical practitioner to ensure compliance with this regulation. The Home Club and Visiting Club may by way of formal written agreement vary this responsibility with the agreement of the Tournament Director.
- Note: for the avoidance of doubt, where the requirements of this regulation are not met the Club responsible for not providing a medical practitioner (or practitioners in accordance with a written agreement), may be liable to sanction.
- To be considered appropriately qualified as a medical practitioner they must be able to demonstrate that they: are fully registered with the General Medical Council (GMC); possesses the appropriate professional indemnity insurance; have successfully completed the level 3 Pre Hospital Immediate Care in Sport (PHICIS) course (or equivalent), whichmust be current and valid ; and have completed all such World Rugby and/or RFU education modules as specified in the Medical Minimum Standards Criteria (as provided to Clubs) or as specified by the RFU.
- (c) If the Clubs are unable to provide two appropriately qualified medical practitioners for a Match in accordance with regulation 8.1(a) above, the Recognise and Remove Protocol (as provided to the Clubs) must operate for that Match. In the event of Clubs failing to comply with the provisions of regulation 8.1(a) above, the matter will be referred to the RFU to investigate further and to determine in their discretion any sanction for non-compliance, which may include sanctioning one or both Clubs as they consider appropriate.
- (d) It is the responsibility of the Home Club to ensure that all other medical facilities and equipment as are defined in the applicable minimum standards criteria document (as provided to the Clubs) are available for the use of such qualified medical practitioner.
- (e) It is the responsibility of each of the Clubs in a Match to ensure that an appropriately qualified physiotherapist, BASRAT approved sports rehabilitator or graduate sports therapist, is present throughout the Match to attend to their respective Players and also, if necessary, to the Referee and the Assistant Referees. To be considered suitably qualified a physiotherapist, BASRAT approved sportsrehabilitator or graduate sportstherapist, theymust demonstratethat they: are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council/appropriate professional body;possess the appropriate professional indemnity insurance; have successfully completed the level 3 Pre-Hospital Immediate Care in Sport (PHICIS) course (or equivalent) or Level 2 PHICIS qualification as per the conditions set out in Medical Minimum Standards Criteria 11, whichmust be current and valid; and have completed all such World Rugby education and/or RFU modules as specified in the Medical Minimum Standards Criteria (as provided to Clubs) or as specified by the RFU.
8.2 Head Injuries
- (a) Any Player who has suffered concussion or is suspected of having concussion in any match or training session must be managed according to World Rugby Medical Regulation 10, World Rugby Head Injury Assessment Protocol, World Rugby Concussion Guidelines and the RFU's Championship Concussion Management Programme as defined in the Pre-Hospital Immediate Care in Sport course, including post-concussion and baseline SCAT 5 testing (or such other recognised psychometric test that the RFU’s Concussion Management Programme shall from time to time specify).
- (b) The Professional Game Head Injury Assessment Review shall apply to Clubs and shall be provided to the Clubs in advance of the Season, except in the case of a Player who when participating in a match has not reached 19 years of age (in which case the Head Injury Assessment Review shall not apply).
8.3 Medical Minimum Standards Criteria
All Clubs must comply with such minimum medical standards issued by the RFU and the RFU shall be entitled to impose sanctions in respect of any non-compliance.

9. MATCH EXPENSES AND RECEIPTS

9.1 Gate Receipts
- (a) Gross Gate Receipts at Matches shall belong to the Home Club.
- (b) The Home Club shall bear all match expenses. Subject to paragraph (d) of this regulation, the Visiting Club shall be responsible for its owntravelling and accommodation expenses.
- (c) When a Match is postponed or abandoned in circumstances where it is required to be replayed, the RFU shall determine whether the Visiting Club shall be entitled to receive from the Home Club out of the gate receipts, reasonable travelling and accommodation expenses caused solely by the postponement or abandonment, and if so, the amount of such expenses.

10. OTHER COMPETITIONS

Each Club shall participate in the Championship and shall not participate in any other competition or tournament unless approval is given by the RFU.

11. FINANCE & AUDITORS REPORT

11.1 Accounting records
- (a) Each Club shall keep accounting records which:
  - (i) are sufficient to show and explain the Club’s transactions;
  - (ii) are such as to disclose with reasonable accuracy, at any time, the financial position of the Club at that time;
  - (iii) comply with any legal requirements applicable to the Club;
  - (iv) comply with such provisions as may from time to time be reasonably specified by the RFU; and
  - (v) comply with such requirements are contained in the Rules of the RFU or the RFU Regulationsmade thereunder.
- (b) The RFU is entitled to require such Club to provide to the RFU and/or its appointed representatives or advisers such accounting records referred to in regulation 11.1(a) above as the RFU deems necessary.
- (c) Such accounting records shall be kept confidential by the RFU and its appointed representatives and advisers save as required by law or to the extent that the same are in the public domain otherwise than by reason of a breach of the provisions of this paragraph.
- (d) In respect of the Championship Matches, the RFU is entitled to appoint a representative or representatives to attend the premises of each Club involved in such matches and any such match itself free of charge and each Club involved with such match shall permit such representative(s) to have access to all financial and other accounting records and location(s) where revenue is generated by the Clubs for such matches in order for such representative(s) to confirm the details of all transactions made in respect of such matches.
- (e) Clubs are reminded that there are detailed provisions relating to financial reporting which are set out in RFU Regulation 5 and these must be complied with by the Clubs.
11.2 Defaulting Clubs
- (a) If any Club (a “defaulting Club”) defaults in making any payment due to the RFU or to another Club under these Regulations, the RFU shall be entitled to apply any sums which, under these Regulations would otherwise be payable to the defaulting Club in discharge of the payment so due in such manner as the RFU may determine.
- (b) Without prejudice to paragraph (a) of this regulation, if any payment due from a Club to the RFU or to another Club under these Regulations is not paid on the due date for payment thereof, such payment shall bear interest (both before and after judgment) from the due date for payment thereof to the date of actual payment thereof at the rate of three per cent per annum above the base lending rate for the time being of Barclays Bank plc, such interest to accrue on a day to day basis, to be compounded on 31st March, 30th June, 30th September and 31st December in each year and to be paid on demand therefor.

12. BROADCASTING AND SPONSORSHIP

12.1 Broadcasting Contracts
As between the RFU and each Club:
- (a) The RFU shall have the exclusive rights to enter into, or authorise the entry into of, contracts for the grant of Broadcasting Rights in respect of the Matches and to determine which Matches should be broadcast.
- (b) Clubs undertake to provide such rights, facilities and other services and to do such acts and things as may be necessary to enable the RFU to fulfil or enable fulfilment of any contract referred to in paragraph (a) of this regulation, including (but without limitation):
  - (i) providing access to enable television companies to film Matches at the grounds of relevant Clubs; and
  - (ii) permitting television companies to the editorial access as agreed by the RFU to include half time access to the changing room, half time interviews and pre-match, in-match and post-match interviews with coaching staff.
- (c) Subject to paragraph (a) above, no Matches shall be broadcast in any form or recorded without the prior written approval of the RFU, save in the case of closed-circuit television within the ground of the Home Club where a Match is being played. For all Matches the broadcast over the radio ofsuch Match by a local radio station of the Home Club is permitted.
- (d) For the avoidance of doubt and except as otherwise agreed in writing by the RFU, Clubs shall have no rights or interests of whatsoever nature in any Broadcasting Rights in respect of the Matches or any material produced in connection therewith or as a consequence thereof.
12.2 Sponsorship and commercial exploitation
- (a) The RFU shall have the exclusive right to enter into, or authorise the entry into,Sponsorship Agreements.
- (b) Any contract referred to in paragraph (a) of this regulation shall be binding upon each Club or the extent applicable to such Club and, subject to paragraph (c) of this regulation, whilst such Club remains a participant in the Championship. Subject as aforesaid, each Club shall comply with the requirements of such contract of which it has notice.
- (c) By its participation in the Championship, each Club confirms the right of the RFU in connection with sponsorship and other commercial exploitation of the Competition and the Matches to use any logos or other intellectual property rights of such Club having previously advised the Club of its intention so to do and the terms upon which such use will be undertaken the Club having the right to refuse such use and accordingly agreeing to waive any entitlement to the benefits that would have been derived from such use.
  - (i) For the avoidance of doubt: No Club shall have any rights or interests of whatsoever nature in or in respect of thesponsorship or other commercial exploitation of the Matches, and/or the Championship or any material produced in connection therewith or as a consequence thereof; and
  - (ii) Each Club shall have the right to enter into contracts in respect of the sponsorship and other commercial exploitation of Matches at its own ground provided such contracts are not in conflict with any Sponsorship Agreement any Broadcasting Agreement or any other contract relating to the Championship and/or the Clubs entered into by the RFU of which the Club has written notice and to which no written objection has been given.
- (d) The copyright in the fixtures lists and draws together with the database and other rights of and in Competitions shall vest in the RFU and must not be reproduced either in whole or in part except with the written consent of the RFU.
12.3 Match programmes
To the extent Match programmes are produced for Matches, each Club agrees that there shall be a section at the bottom of the front cover of each Match programme (size to be determined by the RFU) to carry the names/logos of the Championship commercial partners in a uniform manner (as determined by the RFU). Each Club shall submit a copyof the Match programme to the RFU if required by the RFU.
12.4 Commercial Inventory
Without prejudice to regulations 2.4, 12.1 and 12.2, the Club shall make the commercial inventory (including provisions for hospitality and tickets) set out in Schedule 2 (as may be amended by the RFU from time to time) of these regulations available to enable the RFU to comply with any Sponsorship Agreement and any Broadcasting Agreement.

13. PLAYERS CONTRACTS OF SERVICE, DISCIPLINE, INSURANCE

13.1 Players’ Contracts
- (a) Each Club shall only use the standard form player contract as notified to them and approved by the RFU from time to time for all new contracts with players and any renewals of existing contracts with Players.
- (b) Each Club shall submit to the RFU full copies of all contracts entered into with each Player prior to the start of the Season and upon application of Registration for each Player thereafter. For avoidance of doubt this refers to any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether formal or informal and technically whether legally enforceable or not made between a Club, Union, Division or province (or other union or association of clubs) or any other person, firm or company and a Player for the provision of a Material Benefit to the Player (or any other person firm company or organization) wholly or partially in consideration for the Player's participation in the Game or which entitles the party with whom the Player (or other person firm company or organisation) has entered any such agreement, arrangement or understanding to require the Player to participate in the Game or the effect of which is the Player participates in the Game.
- Note: For the avoidance of any doubt agreements with Academy Players, Apprenticeship Agreements, Bursaries and all other agreements or arrangements wholly or partially in relation to education or training of the Player will fall within the definition of Contract set out above.
- (c) Any dispute or difference in relationship to Player’s contracts not otherwise expressly provided for in these Regulations between Clubs shall be referred in writing to the RFU for consideration and adjudication. The Club may request a personal hearing in which case, if it so desires it may be represented by a third party.
- (d) In the event that a Club is dissatisfied with any adjudication of the RFU pursuant to regulation 13.1 (c) it may appeal pursuant to RFU Regulation 19.
13.2 Insurance and Medical Matters
- (a) It shall be the responsibility of each Club to effect insurance, for the benefit of itself and its Players, against loss or damage arising from death or personal injury to its Players occurring at any time in relation to the Matches (whether playing in or training for a Match, travelling to or from a Match or otherwise) and the RFU shall have no liability in respect of any such loss or damage, whetherin contract, tort or otherwise.
- (b) Each Club shall keep detailed up-to-date medical records in respect of each of its Players. The standards of record keeping for medical personnel are defined by the appropriate professional body. In the event that a Player shall become registered for another club, such Club shall with the Player’s consent make such medical records available to such other club.
- (c) Clubs and Players shall abide by the regulations in relation to anti-doping as may be specified by the RFU and World Rugby and are available on the RFU’s and World Rugby’s websites (www.englandrugby.com and www.worldrugby.org).
13.3 Discipline
- (a) Any allegation of foul play on the pitch, breach of any RFU Regulation, competition regulation or misconduct, either on or off the pitch, that may constitute a breach of the Laws of the Game or RFURule 5.12 shall be investigated and dealt with in accordance with RFU Regulation 19.
- (b) Any Appeal shall be dealt with in accordance with RFU Regulation 19. The decision of the Appeal Panel shall be final and binding on all Parties.
13.4 Release of Players
Any release of the Players required for international duty shall, in addition to World Rugby Regulation 9, be on the same terms relating to periods of release and compensation for the relevant EPS Players as are agreed for the Premiership Clubs. The RFU will provide a copy of the relevant provisions to each Club whose players are selected to the Elite Player Squads or England Sevens Squad or GB Sevens Squad.
13.5 Academy Compensation Regulations
All Clubs who have an England Rugby Academy must (and ensure those acting on their behalf) comply with the academy player compensation regulations set out in Schedule 3.

14. PENALTIES

Subject to any right of appeal, the RFU shall be entitled to impose such penalties as it considers appropriate in respect of any breach of any of these Regulations and, Clubs and their Players shall be bound by such penalty or penalties.

15. SHAREHOLDINGS AND INTERESTS

15.1 Common Control
- (a) Except with the prior written consent of the RFU, and subject to any conditions which may be imposed by the RFU, no Club shall hold either directly or indirectly any Material Interest in an other Club or in any other rugby union club (not being a Club) which is for the time being a member of the highest leagues in the English Clubs Championship (currently the Premiership, the Championship, National League Rugby).
- (b) Except with the prior written consent of the RFU and subject to any conditions which may be imposed by the RFU, no company, person or body together with Associates thereof who has a Material Interest in a Club shall hold any Material Interest in any other Club or in any other rugby union club (not being a Club) which is for the time being a member of the highest leagues in the English Clubs Championship (currently The Championship, National League One and National League Rugby)
- (c) The RFU shall not give consent where to do so would breach any World Rugby regulation.
15.2 Transfer of Rights
- (a) Approval from the RFU shall be required for any transfer of ownership of or beneficial interest in any shareholding in a Club which represents more than 20% of the voting rights or 20% of the share capital (voting or otherwise).
- (b) Approval from the RFU shall be required for any transfer of ownership of or beneficial interest in any shareholding or other interest in a Club which results in a company, person or body, together with Associates thereof, gaining or relinquishing Control of the Club.
- (c) Applications in writing should be made to the RFU for approvals under regulation 15.2(a) and (b) and should give full disclosure (excluding confidential financial information) of the transactions involved. Subject to full disclosure having been made, the RFU shall give approval or otherwise within 14 days of the application.
15.3 Offshore Holdings
- (a) Approval from the RFU shall be required for the holding of any shares or beneficial interest in such shares in any Club by offshore entities. Such approval shall require full disclosure having been made of the ultimate ownership.
- (b) Full disclosure should be made to the RFU of any subsequent changes in ultimate ownership of such shares.
15.4 Breach of regulations 15.1 to 15.3
- (a) The RFU may at any time by notice in writing require any Club or person whom it knows or has reasonable cause to believe is, or has at any time in the period of three years immediately preceding the date of such notice, been in breach of any of regulations 15.1 to 15.3:
  - (i) to confirm that fact or (as the case may be) to indicate whether or not it is the case; and
  - (ii) where such Club or person is or has been in breach as aforesaid, to give further information to the RFU as the RFU may require.
- (b) The RFU shall be empowered, upon becoming aware of any breach of any of regulations 15.1 to 15.3, to require the Club or person in question to take such action asis necessary to rectifysuch breach forthwith or within such period as the RFU shall determine.
- (c) Without prejudice to any other sanction that may be imposed by the RFU in respect of a breach of any of regulations 15.1 to 15.3, a Club in breach of any of regulations 15.1 to 15.3 may be expelled or suspended from the Championship in accordance with the provisionsof regulation 2.5(c).
15.5 Breaches of Regulations (other than Regulations 15.1 to 15.3)
- (a) Any matters alleged to be in breach of these Regulations and/or RFU Regulations shallbe referred immediately to the Disputes Committee; c/o the RFU Rugby Events & Competitions Department in writing or by telephone if necessary, within 24 hours following the conclusion of a Match or of the relevant alleged breach occurring. In any event written confirmation must be sent to the RFU Rugby Events & Competitions Department within 48 hours of the conclusion of the match or of the relevant alleged breach occurring setting out the grounds of the complaint/breach in full.
- (b) The RFU Head of Discipline shall have the ability to refer (whether in their own discretion or as a result of referral pursuant to Regulation 15.5(a) above) any alleged breach of these Regulations and/or RFU Regulations to the Disputes Committee at any time before or after the conclusion of a match.
- (c) Subject to a right of appeal in accordance with RFU Regulation 19, the Disputes Committee shall have the power to discipline any Club, Player or other individual for breach of any of these Regulations and/or any RFU Regulations. Ignorance of these Regulations will not be deemed an excuse in the event of breach.
- (d) The Disputes Committee shall have jurisdiction to impose such penalty as it thinks fitincluding, but not limited to, financial sanctions, league points deduction and suspension. Forthe avoidance of doubt, this power shall include a power to impose any sanction whichcould be imposed for breach of any RFU Regulation which is equivalent to a breach ofthese Regulations or for a breach of any other RFU Regulation.

16. MISCELLANEOUS

16.1 Good Faith and Confidentiality
- (a) In all matters and transactions relating to the Championship, and the Matches, eachClub shall behave towards each other Club, and the RFU with the utmost good faith.
- (b) No Club, either by itself, its servants or agents, shall by any means whatsoever unfairly criticise, disparage, belittle or discredit any other Club, the Championship, the Matches, or the RFU or any of their respective directors, officers, employees or agents.
- (c) A Club shall not, either during its participation in the Championship at any time thereafter, disclose or divulge, either directly or indirectly, to any person whatsoever or otherwise make use of any confidential information as to the business or finances of the Championship or the RFU or any of its dealings, transactions or affairs or as to any other matters which may come to its knowledge by reason of its participation in the Championship, without the RFU’s prior written consent, save to statutory and regulatory authorities and to such employees of a Club to whom such disclosure is strictly necessary for the purpose of their duties and only then to the extent so necessary.
- (d) Each Club shall procure that each of its directors, officers, employees and agents are made aware of the provisions of paragraph (c) of this regulation and shall enter into a binding obligation to comply with the same, both during the period of their appointment or employment by the Club and at all times thereafter.
- (e) The provisions of paragraph (c) of this regulation shall not apply to any information in the public domain otherwise than as a consequence of a breach by the relevant Club of the provisions of paragraphs (c) or (d) of this regulation.
16.2 Governing Law and Jurisdiction
- (a) These Regulations and any disputes or differences arising in relation to them shall be governed in all respects by English law.
- (b) The RFU, Clubs, Officials and Players all hereby submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.
16.3 Notices
- (a) Any notice required to be given or served under or in connection with these Regulations
  - (i) shall be in writing;
  - (ii) may be given to the RFU at its registered office for the time being or at such other address as it may notify in writing to the Clubs for such purpose; and
  - (iii) may be given to a Club, its Officials and Players at that Club’s ground or at such other address as that Club may notify in writing to the RFU for such purpose.
- (b) Any notice given or served in accordance with paragraph (a) of this regulation will be effectively given or served (but without prejudice to any other method of giving or service).
- (i) on the day of delivery, where any notice is delivered by hand prior to 5.00 pm London time on a business day.
- (ii) on the next following business day, where any notice is delivered by hand after 5.00 pm London time on a business day or at any time on a day which is not a business day; and
- (iii) on the second business day following the day of posting, where any notice is sent by pre-paid recorded delivery or registered post.
- (c) For the purposes of paragraph (b) of this regulation, a “business day” shall mean a day (other than a Saturday or a Sunday or a public holiday) on which banks are open for business in the City of London.
16.4 Disclosure of Certain Agreements
- (a) The RFU aims to ensure there is no distortion of fairness and aims to promote an equal opportunity for success and a level playing field between Clubs in the Championship. To this end, every Club shall fully disclose to the RFU in the manner determined by the RFU with a copy of any documentation relating thereto, within 7 days of receipt of a written request from the RFU to do so, any written or verbal agreement, or document evidencing an agreement or arrangement, or understanding or board minute that relates to or which might affect:
  - (i) promotion and relegation from the Championship or the likely outcome of any other competition; and/or
  - (ii) release of Players for international matches or scratch or composite sides; and/or
  - (iii) rest periods or welfare of Players; and/or
  - (iv) distribution or funding or funding arrangements between Clubsin the Championship; and
  - if in the reasonable opinion of the RFU (or that of persons nominated by it as the case may be to approve such disclosure), the effect of such agreement, arrangement, understanding or document or committee minute is to create unfairness in the Championship or adversely to prejudice or affect some Clubs in the Championship or other competition more harshly than others, the Club or Clubs will take such action as required by the RFU that will eliminate, reduce and avoid the repetition of such unfairness.
- (b) Each Club shall advise the RFU in writing not less than fourteen (14) days prior to the proposed implementation or execution date whichever is the earlier, if it wishes to enter into any agreement or arrangement or understanding of the type referred to in regulation 16.4 (a) above, and no such agreement or arrangement or understanding may be entered into without the prior written consent of the RFU (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

SCHEDULE 1 Technical Area

1. Dimensions of the Technical Area
- a. For all Competition Matches two Technical Areas shall be provided within the playing enclosure on the same side of the pitch, each one on either side of the half- way line and outside the field-of-play.
- b. These Technical Areas must be marked on the ground.
- c. The line nearest the touch line must be parallel to the touch line and be at least one metre from the field of play.
- d. The Technical Area must not exceed ten metres in length.
- e. Wherever practically possible the areas should be behind advertising hoardings with easy access to the field of play.
2. Personnel permitted in the Technical Area
- a. No more than two medically trained persons (certified doctors or physiotherapists only) and two water carriers (who may not be the Head Coach or the Director of Rugby but may be an Assistant Coach) per team are permitted to operate from the Technical Area.
- b. One team manager (who may be coaching personnel) is permitted within the Technical Area and will identify themself as the Team Manager to the Match Officials. Once identified, the Team Manager must not inter-change with any other member of his team’s management.
- c. No other person (including other team officials) is permitted in the Technical Area.
- d. One of the medically trained persons (identified in 2a above) may be positioned on the far side of the playing area on the touch line opposite the Technical Area and is free to “track” play in order to provide immediate medical assistance when required. Any other medically trained persons (if applicable) must remain outside the Technical Area.
- e. Where practically possible any medical person operating on the far side of the field from the Technical Area must stay outside the advertising hoardings. The medical personnel may keep up with play, but must pay due regard to the needs and rights of Players, Match Officials, spectators, Broadcaster Partner(s) and Commercial Partners.
- f. All medical personnel may enter the field of play in accordance with World Rugby Laws at any time a Player is injured. They must not obstruct, interfere or aim comments at Match Officials, except to notify Match Officials of a severe injury when requesting that the Match be stopped.
3. Roles of personnel in the Technical Area
- a. Water may only be taken on the field in accordance with the Laws of the Game and World Rugby Regulations (including such other regulations, variations and trials as may be agreed by the RFU and World Rugby).
4. Management of the Technical Area
- a. All personnel permitted in the Technical Area must have some distinguishing mark (e.g. arm bands/bibs).
- b. The Fourth Official will manage the Technical Area(s). If there is a transgression of the protocol and/or the Laws of the Game, the matter will be reported to the Referee.
- c. The Referee may caution any offender, impose an on-field sanction or at their discretion expel the person(s) from the playing enclosure for any breach of the protocol and/or the Laws of the Game.
5. Personnel outside of the Technical Area
- a. The replacement bench and the location of any Clubs coaching teams should, wherever possible, be in a designated area within the stand and in close proximity to the halfway line and the Technical Area in accordance with these Regulations. In circumstances where this is not possible, each Club shall ensure that the replacements will remain seated within the Technical Area at all times, except when warming up.
- b. If replacements require warming up and there is not an area outside the playing enclosure, they may warm up in the opposition in-goal area.

SCHEDULE 2 COMMERCIAL INVENTORY

RESERVED TITLE SPONSORSHIP RIGHTS
Composite Logo	Creation of Championship logo incorporating title sponsor. The tournament will be referenced as [insert partner] Championship
Shirt Branding	Composite logo patch to be incorporated onto the left sleeve of all clubs playing shirts. The patch will be 150mm x 88mm and placed between the tricep and bicep Championship sponsor branded referee kits
Ball Branding	Ball Branding Composite logo to feature on all match and training balls
Pitch Branding	The right to brand the centre pitch and in-goal areas at every live televised and centrally streamed championship match
Stadium Branding	Two TV Arc primary perimeter boards on the halfway line for all championship matches _{Three TV Arc primary perimeter boards on the halfway line for all championship matches Two TV Arc primary perimeter boards behind the posts at each end of the ground for all championship matches} post protectors, corner flags and corner flag protectors to feature the Championship Logo on which 90% of the available branding space will be exclusive to the Partner and feature the full Championship competition name (note 10% is given to Gilbert who produce them) _{100% sponsor branded post protectors for new partner} The right to run a sponsor competition at each championship match Composite logo to feature on at least 25% on club interview backdrops Where applicable, Partner to have the option to three minutes of non consecutive thirty second advertising clips on the big screens at each match Where applicable, Partner to have the option to three minutes of non consecutive thirty second advertising on LEDs at each match
Tickets	10 FOC pairs of tickets for each regular season championship match Composite logo to feature on clubs season and match ticket stock and car park passes The right to use any tickets as part of promotions or PR/social media activity
Hospitality	The right to be provided with ten ticketed hospitality places free of charge at six Championship Matches (food and beverage at cost price)
Player / DOR Appearances	DOR & Club Captain to attend annual season launch press conference & event 3 players together from each club for one appearance per season. (max 4 hours) DOR coaching appearance on one occasion per season from each club (max 4 hours)
Programme	Full Page Colour advert in each match day programme - Inside front cover Championship composite logo to feature on the front cover of each programme Right to place an insert in each club’s match day programme on one occasion
Website	Naming rights to championship website and associated branding and advertising (including skyscraper, banners & MPU's) Sponsors of monthly podcast on championship website Championship composite logo to be displayed prominently on each club’s homepage with hyperlink (including in any dedicated Championship page)
Communication	Access to clubs databases on two occasions per season for sponsor mailings Access to clubs e-zine / newsletters on three occasions per season for sponsors stories / offers
Footage	Right to use footage of Championship matches Right to have access to the photographic archive of the Championship
Awards	Sponsors of the Player of the Month and Manager of the Month Awards Access to the Championship trophy for promotional purposes. Branded ribbons to be attached to the Championship trophy. A branded podium and backdrop on the pitch for the trophy presentation at the final match of the season (with all associated costs to be met by the Partner).
Training Days	4 x visit to each club’s training ground to watch the team train

_{**Reserved for use of title partner**}

SCHEDULE 3 ACADEMY COMPENSATION REGULATIONS

Academy Player Approaches and Compensation
This Schedule 3 shall only apply as between those Clubs who have an England Rugby Academy.
For purposes of this Schedule 3, any terms not defined herein shall have the meaning set out in the Professional Game Agreement being the agreement made between the RFU, PRL and the relevant clubs for the period from 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2024 (and with any amendments agreed from time to time).
Approaches and Offers
- 1. A Club may only recruit a player who is under the age of 18 years old from the area designated to them under the academy licence agreement and cannot approach or accept approaches (directly or indirectly) unless otherwise approved in advance by the RFU Head of Regional Academies and PRL Head of Elite Performance and Player Development.
- 2. A Club may negotiate a contract with an Academy Player under the age of 20 years old on the previous 31 August within its employment at any point during the Season, however, negotiations must have begun and an offer of written contract made by March 31 of that Season.
- 3. A Club must notify the RFU and PRL by March 31 in each year of their list of all Player Development Group Players and England Academy Players they will retain.
- 4. Negotiations shall only take place between 1 April and 31 July in any year between a Club and an Academy Player who is based outside of that Club’s designated region (as set out in its Academy Licence) and provided the Academy Player is:
  - i. Under the age of 20 years old on the previous 31 August; and
  - ii. In the Under 18s age grade and above;
  - unless otherwise authorised in writing by the Academy Player’s existing Club.
- 5. Prior to the Club or any of its representatives or officials making contact, verbally or in writing, with a Player, parent, agent or such other person representing or purporting to represent a Player or within 7 days of a Club or any of its representatives being contacted, verbally or in writing, by a Player, parent, agent or such other person representing or purporting to represent a Player; the Club must register its interest or details of such contact with the RFU Head of Regional Academies and the PRL Head of Elite Performance and Player Development after 31 March of that Season.
- 6. Upon the signing of a contract the new Club shall notify in writing the releasing Club, the RFU and PRL of the contract within 48 hours.
Qualification for Compensation
- 7. Clubs will be entitled to seek compensation when:-
  - (a) a Club (“the Claimant Club”) has made a contract offer to an England Academy Player by March 31 equal to or greater in value than their previous Season’s contract with that Club. For the purpose of this Regulation, the following items shall be included/excluded when calculating the value of both the contract on offer and any current contract between the Club and the England Academy Player:
    - i. Included: Basic Gross Wage, Non-Statutory Pension contributions, accommodation (at HMRC rate), education fees.
    - ii. Excluded: Bonuses, NIC, meals, income from Loan Club and any pension contribution made by a club as a result of its obligations under statutory automatic enrolment into a work place pension, up to an amount equal to the minimum employer contribution (as defined by the relevant statutory regulations); and
  - (b) the England Academy Player Form has been completed and signed by that England Academy Player and all relevant parties and is held centrally by the Academy; and
  - (c) that England Academy Player moves to or trains with or has any arrangement to move to another Club by 31 December of that year; and
  - (d) that England Academy Player has appeared on a registered list for the Claimant Club for not less than one Season prior to their move to or training with or arrangement to moveto that other Club; and
  - (e) subject to paragraph (f) below, that England Academy Player was under the age of 20 years old on the previous 31 August.
  - (f) where an England Academy Player is a full time student attending and undertaking a full time degree course, the age limit specified in 7(e) above shall be extended to underthe age of 23 years old on the previous 31 August. For the purposes of this Regulation, full time student shall be a person who is registered and attends in person an educational institution to undertake a degree course on a full time basis (i.e. during official term time and attending the scheduled seminars, lectures and other associated learning sessions). Distance learning, part-time courses and non-degree level courses are specifically excluded from these compensation Regulations.

Calculating Compensation

8. Subject to clause 7 above and unless agreed otherwise by the Clubs involved, compensation for the development of the Academy Player shall be calculated as set out in paragraphs 9 and 10 below.
9. The total compensation payable shall be the figures indicated below multiplied by the number of years which the Academy Player has been officially registered on the central database of that Club held by the RFU and PRL as an PDG Player and/or England Academy Player (subject to any reduction in accordance with paragraph 10 below):
- (a) £10,000 for each year as an England Academy Player; plus
- (b) £5000 for each year as an Academy Player Development Group member
10. The total compensation available to the Claimant Club shall be reduced by the following percentages where the value of the contract offer (as calculated pursuant to paragraph 10above) is below the relevant threshold:

Contract Offer Value Threshold	Percentage of Compensation Due
£8,000 & over	100% of compensation calculated in accordance with paragraph 9 or 11
£7,000 - £7,999	80% of compensation calculated in accordance with paragraph 9
£6,000 - £6,999	70% of compensation calculated in accordance with paragraph 9 or 11
£5,000 - £5,999	60% of compensation calculated in accordance with paragraph 9 or 11
£3,500 - £4,999	40% of compensation calculated in accordance with paragraph 9 or 11
£0 - £3,499	20% of compensation calculated in accordance with paragraph 9 or 11

Post 18 year old compensation
- 11. Where an Academy Player:
  - (a) joined the Claimant Club at the age of 18 years old or older; and
  - (b) subsequently leaves the Claimant Club; and
  - (c) is not subject to any previous compensation claim under this Regulation;
- the Claimant Club shall be entitled to compensation from the new Club and the total compensation payable shall be the figures indicated below (subject to any reduction in accordance with paragraph 10 above):
  - (i) £20,000 after one Season; and
  - (ii) an additional £10,000 for every subsequent Seasons (which may extent to Under 23 if a full time student pursuant to clause 7(f)).
Failure to Register an interest
- 12. Any Club that fails to register an interest in an England Academy Player before making an approach in accordance with these Regulations, the new Club will be liable to pay up to twice the level of compensation provided for under these Regulations
Independent Expert Determination
- 13. In the event of any uncertainty and a party wishes to obtain clarification on eligibility for compensation, levels of compensation or liability for compensation under these Regulations, a Player or Club (or Agent acting on behalf of either) may request that the matter is considered by an independent expert for determination. Any such request must be submittedin writing to the RFU Head of Discipline.
Applications for Compensation
- 14. The following shall apply in all application for compensation:
  - (a) All applicationsfor compensation must be made within six months of the date of signing of the new contract by the England Academy Player.
  - (b) All applications for compensation must be made in writing by the Claimant Club and addressed to the Chief Executive Officer of the new Club and must include the information contained in Regulation 14(c) below.
  - (c) Application information must include (but is not limited to): i) the England Academy Player’s date of birth; ii) a copy of the player’s signed and dated England Academy Player Form; iii) youth and/or senior registration details including the exact number of games played for the club and/or loan club if the player has been dual registered; iv) details of the coaching input provided together with a copy of the player’s Individual Development Plan including updates from the previous 12 months; and v) appropriate evidence of the Academy Player’s inclusion in the PDG and/or Academy programme (i.e. PDG and/or EAP lists).
  - (d) Compensation shall be payable within 28 days of the written application by the Claimant Club.
  - (e) If the new Club disputes the payment of compensation it must lodge an appeal against the payment of compensation with the RFU Head of Discipline within 14 days of receipt of the application for compensation referred to in paragraph 14(b) above.
  - (f) Any appeal shall be conducted in accordance with the procedures set out in RFU Regulation 19.
Elite Player Squad Compensation
- 15. Where an England Academy Player:
  - (a) is under the age of 24 on the 1st September of the relevant season; and
  - (b) has appeared on a registered list for the Claimant Club for not less than one Season prior to their move to or training with or arrangement to move to another Club; and
  - (c) has moved to a new Club and is then selected for the first time as a Senior Elite Player Squad (excluding any temporary selection);
- the original Club with whom the player was registered as an Academy Player (‘Academy Club’) shall be entitled to a one-0ff payment in recognition of that player’s selection into the Senior Elite Player Squad as set out in paragraph 16.
- 16. The payment referred to in paragraph 15 above shall be calculated at the end of the relevant season and on the basis set out below:
  - (a) Senior EPS Squad selection within 1 season of leaving Academy Club = 50% of total annual EPS payment (less any compensation already paid); or
  - (b) Senior EPS Squad selection within 2 seasons of leaving Academy Club = 25% of total annual EPS payment (less any compensation already paid); or
  - (c) Senior EPS Squad selection within 3 seasons of leaving Academy Club = 10% of total annual EPS payment (less any compensation already paid).
- 17. Clubs eligible for any payment referred to in clauses 15 and 16 above must submit a request to the current club of the player and such payment must be paid by the 31 August after the season in which the player was first selected for the EPS Squad.
Academy Compensation Review Panel
- 18. It is recognised that there may be exceptional and/or extenuating circumstances which resultin not all of the compensation eligibility requirements being met or actions undertaken by a party which may impact a club’s entitlement to compensation pursuant to the Regulations. In such circumstances, a Review Panel will have the power to review the matter to determineif and to what extent: (a) a club will be eligible for compensation and/or (b) whether a player can remain on the EAP list and continue to receive the benefits granted to EAP players; and in each case in accordance with and as more specifically set out in the Review Panel’s Termsof Reference.

Championship League Regulations

1. Generala

1.1 Definitions

1.2 Interpretation

1.3 Variations to these Regulationsd

1.4 Severability

1.5 Delegation

1.6 RFU Regulations

1.7 Management of the Competition

1.8 Covid Variations

1.9 Covid–19 Minimum Operating Standards

2. THE COMPETITION

2.1 Name

2.2 Structure

2.3 Conditions of Participation

2.4 Agreement by the Clubs

2.5 Ceasing to Participate

2.6 Education Modules

3. THE CHAMPIONSHIP

3.1 Rankings and Qualifications for Championship

3.2 Promotion and Relegation

3.3 Eligibility and Restriction on Players.

3.4 Replacements

3.5 Match Result Card

3.6 Club ceasing to play

3.7 Trophy

3.8 Match Footage

3.9 Team Declarations

4. MATCH & FIXTURE MANAGEMENT

4.1 Arrangement of Fixtures

4.2 Kick-Off Times

4.3 Duration of Matches

4.4 Postponed Matches

4.5 Abandoned Matches

4.6 Notification

4.7 Re-scheduling or Re-arranging Matches

4.8 Clubs unable to fulfil fixtures

4.9 Clubs Not To Arrange Matches Which Interfere With Fixtures

4.10 Disputes

5. GROUNDS

5.1 Registration of Ground

5.2 Facilities and Equipment

5.3 The Pitch

5.4 Safety

5.5 Tickets for Administrators and Supporters

5.6 Closed Circuit Television

5.7 Public Liability Insurance

5.8 Floodlights

6. PLAYING KIT

6.1 Colours

6.2 Jersey to Bear Logo on Sleeves

6.3 Jersey Advertising

6.4 Numbering of Jerseys

7. MATCH OFFICIALS

7.1 Selection

7.2 Home Club’s Responsibilities

8. MEDICAL MATTERS

8.1 Attendance of a Medical Practitioner for Players, the Referee and the Assistant Referees

8.2 Head Injuries

8.3 Medical Minimum Standards Criteria

9. MATCH EXPENSES AND RECEIPTS

9.1 Gate Receipts

10. OTHER COMPETITIONS

11. FINANCE & AUDITORS REPORT

11.1 Accounting records

11.2 Defaulting Clubs

12. BROADCASTING AND SPONSORSHIP

12.1 Broadcasting Contracts

12.2 Sponsorship and commercial exploitation

12.3 Match programmes

12.4 Commercial Inventory

13. PLAYERS CONTRACTS OF SERVICE, DISCIPLINE, INSURANCE

13.1 Players’ Contracts

13.2 Insurance and Medical Matters

13.3 Discipline

13.4 Release of Players

13.5 Academy Compensation Regulations

14. PENALTIES

15. SHAREHOLDINGS AND INTERESTS

15.1 Common Control