Who appoints the referee, and what if none turns up?

Under World Rugby Laws 2026 (Law 6):

• The match organiser appoints the referee. If none has been appointed, the two teams agree on a referee; if they cannot agree, the home team appoints one.
• If the referee cannot complete the match, the replacement is appointed according to the match organiser's instructions. Without instructions, the referee appoints a replacement; if the referee cannot, the home team does.
• The referee is, alongside the other appointed match officials, the sole judge of fact and of law during a match.

Rugby Canada's U13 and U14 (13 v 13) variations say every match should be controlled by a trained, registered and appointed match official where possible, and that if one is not available a coach from either team is to assume the role of referee. For U11 and U12 every match is controlled by a Game Manager.

Sources: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 6: https://passport.world.rugby/media/wnvjlxtb/2607en-world-rugby-laws-final-compressed.pdf and Rugby Canada U13 and U14 (13 v 13) Law Variations: https://rugby.ca/uploads/Community/Age_Grade_Law_Variations_2023/English/Rugby_Canada_-_2022_Law_Variations_Community_Rugby_Eng_U13_U14-13s_v2_Jan2023.pdf