What do I check before kick-off?

Q: What do I check before kick-off?

Under World Rugby Laws 2026 (Laws 3, 4 and 6): Toss: you organise it. One captain tosses a coin and the other calls. The winner decides whether to kick off or to choose an end; if they choose an end, the opponents kick off, and vice versa. Clothing and studs: you and the other match officials inspect players' clothing and studs. You may decide at any time that an item is dangerous or illegal and order it removed. If a player is told before the match that an item is banned and is later found wearing it on the playing area, the player is sent off for misconduct (penalty). Banned items include jewellery, gloves, communication devices and shorts or leggings with padding sewn in. Front row: you check the availability and status of front-row players and the scrum engagement process. Each team must tell you its front-row players and replacements. Numbers: each team has no more than 15 players in the playing area. A team may object to you about the opponents' numbers; if a team has too many players you order the captain to reduce them, the score stands, and the penalty applies. A match organiser may authorise fewer than 15 a side. Replacements: the match organiser decides how many may be nominated, up to a maximum of eight. They are made only when the ball is dead and with your permission. Source: World Rugby Laws of the Game 2026: https://passport.world.rugby/media/wnvjlxtb/2607en-world-rugby-laws-final-compressed.pdf

Question

Accepted Answer

Under World Rugby Laws 2026 (Laws 3, 4 and 6):

Toss: you organise it. One captain tosses a coin and the other calls. The winner decides whether to kick off or to choose an end; if they choose an end, the opponents kick off, and vice versa.
Clothing and studs: you and the other match officials inspect players' clothing and studs. You may decide at any time that an item is dangerous or illegal and order it removed. If a player is told before the match that an item is banned and is later found wearing it on the playing area, the player is sent off for misconduct (penalty). Banned items include jewellery, gloves, communication devices and shorts or leggings with padding sewn in.
Front row: you check the availability and status of front-row players and the scrum engagement process. Each team must tell you its front-row players and replacements.
Numbers: each team has no more than 15 players in the playing area. A team may object to you about the opponents' numbers; if a team has too many players you order the captain to reduce them, the score stands, and the penalty applies. A match organiser may authorise fewer than 15 a side.
Replacements: the match organiser decides how many may be nominated, up to a maximum of eight. They are made only when the ball is dead and with your permission.

Source: World Rugby Laws of the Game 2026: https://passport.world.rugby/media/wnvjlxtb/2607en-world-rugby-laws-final-compressed.pdf