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Founded in 1895
Return to Rugby – but not as we know it !
The Rugby Football Union can confirm the Government has approved a return to 15-a-side contact rugby, with some adaptations.
- No scrums or mauls
- Where the game would restart with a scrum, this will be replaced with a free kick
- A minimum of five and a maximum of seven players from each team are required to form a lineout.
Return to play – Society Meeting
In the mean time you may find the information through the links below useful
Society Training Meetings.
The Society held a a successful Training Meeting using the zoom platform. The meeting featured Durham Society old boy and Premiership Referee Andrew Jackson being interviewed by the Training and Development manager John Heselwood who asked questions provided by the society members.
Clusters – subject to change
Cluster information
Jim Fox retires from re-appointments role
Jim Fox and Edna! have decided it is time to step down from probably the most demanding role in the society. Jim has been the re-appointments Secretary for over 20 years having previously held the position of Sunday and Midweek Appointments Secretary.
Society Membership
Due to the Corona Virus disruption to the 2020-2021 season it has been agreed by the Board of Directors that the 2019-2020 membership will be extended by 1 year until the 31st August 2021
RFU Webinar Programme details
Coaching & Referee Webinar - Tuesday 9th June – 7pm
It's here Scrum Week
Refereeing the Scrum with Wayne Barnes and Matthew Carley

updated June 4, 2020
World Rugby's executive committee will consider recommendations this week that could help significantly reduce the risk of coronavirus in the sport.

updated May 26, 2020
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, that meeting will no longer be held, but the AGM will be held using email so that we are ready for next season.

updated May 23, 2020
World Rugby has announced that, with immediate effect, it will no longer be possible to score a try by grounding the ball against the post protector

updated May 19, 2020
Grading Committee met virtually on the 7th May to consider the end of 2019-2020 referee gradings. Thanks to the hard efforts of the small band of MOD's there was a total of 152 reports to consider including 29 from out of County exchanges

updated May 18, 2020
Due to the CoVid-19 virus, the Annual Dinner has been postponed to provisionally 4th December at Durham City RFC

updated May 18, 2020
BBC Rugby News Feed
- #icare: Elinor Snowsill speaks out about trolling of women's rugby players January 17, 2021
- Glasgow 23-22 Edinburgh: Warriors can use win as 'springboard', says head coach Wilson January 17, 2021
- Glasgow 23-22 Edinburgh: Hosts level 1872 Cup series at 1-1 with Pro14 win January 16, 2021
- Billy Vunipola 'outstanding' despite Ealing defeat, says Saracens' Mark McCall January 16, 2021
- British and Irish Lions tour: Can Maro Itoje captain tour of South Africa? January 16, 2021

Coronavirus
The Coronavirus has had a huge impact on all aspects of our lives including rugby

My Name’5 Doddie Foundation
Durham Referees’ Society support a very deserving charity