The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological demands of officiating in the code of Rugby Union at an elite level and to propose a relevant programme of fitness testing and training arising from the results obtained. A group of ten RFU National Panel referees were selected as subjects and all were analysed performing match duties as both a referee and a touch-judge during a number of level 1 and 2 league matches. Each subject performed a range of laboratory tests to establish various physiological parameters, which were then compared with the match analysis findings of heart rate and total match distances. [Continues.]