Four SA refs for Six Nations
World Rugby, the new name for the IRB, has announced the names of the match officials for the 2015 Six Nations.
Four South Africans are involved - Craig Joubert and Jaco Peyper as referees, Stuart Berry as an assistant referee ands Sean Veldsman as a television match officials.
Back in action is Chris Pollock of New Zealand who has suffered greatly from arthritis of his hip which necessitated an operation and a long lay-off.
New to Six Nations as referees are Glen Jackson of New Zealand and JP Doyle, an Irishman who referees as an Englishman.
Also new in Six Nations supporting roles are Mathieu Raynal, Dudley Phillips, Marius, Mitrea, Federico Anselmi, Ben Skeen and George Ayoub.
John Jeffrey, the former Scottish flank who is now the chairman of World Rugby's referee selectors, said: “With an eye on Rugby World Cup 2015, our focus continues to be clear and consistent decision-making and the highest standards of physical conditioning. Selection for RWC will be made shortly after the Six Nations so these will be important opportunities for the referees, ARs (assistant referees) and TMOs.
“As always, we continue to consult with coaches in making our selection decisions and I would like to thank unions for their full commitment and support of the official feedback channels.”
The Appointments
Friday, February 6
Wales vs England
Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)
Assistant referees: Romain Poite (France), Mathieu Raynal (France)
Television match official: Simon McDowell (Ireland)
Assessor: Andrew Cole (Australia)
Saturday, February 7
Italy vs Ireland
Referee: Pascal Gauzère (France)
Assistant referees: Johnny Lacey (Ireland), Luke Pearce (England)
Television match official: Graham Hughes (England)
Assessor: Donal Courtney (Ireland)
France vs Scotland
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant referees: Glen Jackson (New Zealand), Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
Television match official: George Ayoub (Australia
Assessor: Andrew Cole (Australia
Saturday, February 14
England vs Italy
Referee: Johnny Lacey (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Pascal Gauzère (France), Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
Television match official: George Ayoub (Australia
Assessor: Lyndon Bray (New Zealand)
Ireland vs France
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Assistant referees: Nigel Owens (Wales), Leighton Hodges (Wales)
Television match official: Graham Hughes (England)
Assessor: Donal Courtney (Ireland)
Sunday, February 15
Scotland vs Wales
Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: George Clancy (Ireland), Dudley Phillips (Ireland)
Television match official: Simon McDowell (Ireland)
Assessor: Clayton Thomas (Wales)
Saturday, February 28
Scotland vs Italy
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Romain Poite (France), Leighton Hodges (Wales)
Television match official: Graham Hughes (England)
Assessor: Lyndon Bray (New Zealand)
France vs Wales
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: JP Doyle (England), Marius Mitrea (Italy)
Television match official: Simon McDowell (Ireland)
Assessor: Clayton Thomas (Wales)
Sunday, March 1
Ireland vs England
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Jérôme Garcès (France), Mathieu Raynal (France)
Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
Assessor: Donal Courtney (Ireland)
Saturday, March 14
Wales vs Ireland
Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia
Assistant referees: Chris Pollock, Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
Television match official: Graham Hughes (England)
Assessor: Donal Courtney (Ireland)
England vs Scotland
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
Assistant referees: George Clancy (Ireland), Marius Mitrea (Italy)
Television match official: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)
Assessor: Lyndon Bray (New Zealand)
Sunday, March 15
Italy vs France
Referee: JP Doyle (England)
Assistant referees: Wayne Barnes (England), Stuart Berry (South Africa)
Television match official: Simon McDowell (Ireland)
Assessor: Clayton Thomas (Wales)
Saturday, March 21
Italy vs Wales
Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: JP Doyle (England), Luke Pearce (England)
Television match official: Simon McDowell (Ireland)
Assessor: Donal Courtney (Ireland)
Scotland vs Ireland
Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)
Assistant referees: Pascal Gauzère (France), Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
Television match official: Graham Hughes (England)
Assessor: Andrew Cole (Australia
England vs France
Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)
Assistant referees: Johnny Lacey (Ireland), Stuart Berry (South Africa)
Television match official: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)
Assessor: Clayton Thomas (Wales)