Scotland vs Italy referee played for England before becoming match official

Find your local Greene King and settle in for the 2025 Six Nations!

England’s Karl Dickson will be in the thick of the action once again as one of the referees for the 2025 Six Nations.

The ex-scrum-half enjoyed a long professional career before hanging up his boots in 2017, narrowly missing out on a full England cap but representing England Saxons. His younger brother, Lee, earned 18 England caps between 2012 and 2014.

While his international dreams as a player didn’t materialise, Dickson has made a rapid ascent in the officiating world. He began refereeing while still at Harlequins and, upon retirement, joined the Rugby Football Union’s Professional Game Match Officials Team (PGMOT). Just three years later, he made his Test debut.

His Six Nations bow came in 2024, followed by a first Rugby World Cup appearance last autumn. Initially set to be an assistant in the Wales vs Argentina quarter-final, he was thrust into the spotlight when Jaco Peyper suffered an Achilles injury, taking charge of the dramatic Pumas victory. He later served as one of Wayne Barnes’s assistants for the final, completing an all-English officiating team.

Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
Assistant Referees: Luke Pearce (England) & Damian Schneider (Argentina)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
FPRO: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)

The Six Nations Championship, Europe’s premier rugby tournament, has delivered unforgettable moments and showcased some of the game’s greatest players.

From stunning tries to epic battles, the 2010s were packed with rugby brilliance.

Can you name the players who lit up the tournament during this golden decade? You’ll need to be on top form to get 15/15—are you up for the challenge? Let’s kick off!