The home club is responsible for confirming directly with the referee his appointment to the fixture.
Rule 11 Replacements and Substitutes
11.1 Upto seven replacements or substitutes are permitted in all matches in accordance with RFU regulations.
11.2 In the interests of safety, each team must have at least five players in their nominated squad, all at least 18 years of age, who are suitably trained and experienced to be capable of playing in the front row to ensure that on the first and second occasions (whether due to injury or consequent to a player being temporarily suspended or ordered off) that a front row player is required to be replaced, the team can continue to play safely with contested scrummages. If any front row player requires to be replaced and his team cannot provide a replacement or other players suitably trained and experienced and at least 18 years of age from those who started the match or from the nominated replacements to enable the match to continue with contested scrums, the referee, having made enquiry of and having confirmed this fact with the captain of the team or other such person nominated by the club as the manager or other person responsible for the team:
on the first and second occasions, the match will continue with uncontested scrums, the offending team will be prevented from replacing the injured player(s) and
on the third and subsequent occasions, the match will continue with uncontested scrummages and the final result shall stand.
The committee may review the circumstances in every case where a match is completed with uncontested scrums.
Rule 15 Grounds
15.1 A home club is responsible for correctly and clearly marking its pitch and must make proper provision to ensure that (with the exception of touch judges) all spectators, replacements and officials are kept at a reasonable distance from the field of play.
15.2 When a late decision as to the fitness of the ground for playing the match is necessary, it shall be made by the respective captains of the clubs involved but if the are not able to agree, the decision shall be made by the appointed referee. (Cumbria Rugby Union Referees’ Society requires every referee not to place himself/herself in a position whereby legal action may be taken. The Society requires the referee to err on the side of safety and not to play the match.)