Match officials for the weekend, including England vs Ireland referee

Rugby News
Friday, 08 March 2024 at 12:01
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Round four of the 2024 Guinness Six Nations is on the horizon, with the spotlight shining on the crucial referee appointments, including the highly anticipated England vs Ireland referee.
This penultimate round of the tournament kicks off with Italy facing off against Scotland, the current frontrunners, at Stadio Olimpico on Saturday afternoon.
Following this, all eyes will be on Twickenham as England battles the undefeated Ireland in a Saturday evening showdown.
Wrapping up the round on Sunday is the match between Wales and France, where Wales, under Warren Gatland's guidance, will strive to break their losing streak after falling short in all three previous matches.
Stay tuned for the latest updates on the match officials overseeing round four of the 2024 Six Nations, as the excitement continues to build towards these pivotal encounters.
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Referee’s for this weekend 

Italy vs Scotland referee, Saturday, March 9, 2024 - 14h15

  • Referee : Angus Gardner
  • Assistant Referee 1 : Karl Dickson
  • Assistant Referee 2 : Adam Leal
  • TMO : Marius Van-Der-Westhuizen
Angus Gardner, born on August 24, 1984, in Sydney, Australia, is a prominent figure in professional rugby as a referee. Educated at Shore School and the University of Technology Sydney, Gardner's journey into rugby officiating began at the age of fifteen in 1999.
His career reached significant milestones when he joined the Super Rugby referees panel in 2012, officiating his inaugural match between the Queensland Reds and Melbourne Rebels at Suncorp Stadium. Gardner transitioned to full-time refereeing in 2015, marking a pivotal moment in his career trajectory.
Gardner's expertise and proficiency on the field led to notable appointments, including officiating at various levels such as Test matches, IRB Junior World Championships, and Super Rugby. His dedication culminated in prestigious roles, including being selected as an assistant referee at the 2015 Rugby World Cup and officiating the 2018 Super Rugby Final.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the sport, Gardner was honored with the "World Rugby Referee of the Year" award during the 2018 World Rugby Awards. His commitment, skill, and integrity continue to make him a respected figure within the rugby community, exemplifying excellence in officiating.

England vs Ireland referee, Saturday, March 9, 2024 - 16h45

  • Referee : Nika Amashukeli
  • Assistant Referee 1 : Andrea Piardi
  • Assistant Referee 2 : Craig Evans
  • TMO : Ben Whitehouse
Nika Amashukeli's rugby refereeing journey epitomizes resilience and achievement. Joining Georgia's referee development program in 2013, in collaboration with the IRFU, marked his initiation into officiating. Despite early challenges, including an incident where he was stabbed after a match in 2016, Nika's determination remained steadfast.
In 2019, his standout performance at the World Rugby Under 20 Championship led to prestigious appointments in EPCR competitions, attributed to the mentorship of David McHugh, Head of Referees at the Georgian Rugby Union. Beyond officiating, Nika launched the "Rugby Laboratory" Facebook page in 2020, aimed at educating new fans about the game's laws.
In 2021, he made history as the first Georgian referee to officiate a Tier 1 nations game, showcasing his growing reputation globally. Despite challenges like match cancellations due to COVID-19, Nika's resolve endured.
The apex of his career arrived in 2023 when he was selected as a match official for the Rugby World Cup, underscoring his unwavering commitment and exceptional talent in rugby refereeing. With each match, Nika continues to inspire and elevate the standards of rugby officiating, leaving an indelible mark on the sport.

Wales vs France referee, Sunday, March 10, 2024 - 15h00

  • Referee : Luke Pearce
  • Assistant Referee 1 : Andrew Brace
  • Assistant Referee 2 : Damián Schneider
  • TMO : Ian Tempest
At the age of 21, Pearce began his refereeing career in the RFU Championship in 2009, setting the stage for a continuous and impressive progression. He ascended through the ranks of English, European, and global rugby refereeing systems, ultimately achieving his officiating dream when selected as the match referee for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
In 2009, Pearce became the youngest individual at the time to earn promotion to the RFU National Panel. Within just two years, he took charge of his first Premiership fixture, overseeing the clash between Gloucester and Worcester.
In that same period, at the age of 23, Pearce debuted as a referee in the World Sevens Series. The year 2011 marked a breakthrough for him as he officiated his first European game in the Challenge Cup.
Pearce's achievements continued to mount. A year after refereeing his initial international match in 2013, officiating between Romania and Russia at the European Nations Cup, he received an appointment from World Rugby.
His Six Nations journey commenced in 2014 when he served as an assistant referee in the Italy vs. Scotland match. In a remarkable turn of events in 2019, he refereed the same fixture, marking his first Six Nations refereeing experience. Coincidentally, he also took charge of Scotland vs. Italy in the 2020 Autumn Nations Cup.
Fulfilling his long-standing aspiration, Pearce realized his dream of refereeing at a World Cup during the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Despite his birthplace, he officiated the Wales vs. Georgia match, representing England instead
luke pearce
Referee, Luke Pearce in his Rainbow Laces top during the Gallagher Premiership match between Exeter Chiefs and Sale Sharks at Sandy Park, Exeter on 26th February 2023. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

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