Three Scots go to Bucharest
This weekend the European Nations Cup resumes, part of a competition stretching over two years. The match officials in Bucharest are Scots.
Russia play Romania, usually a tough encounter and likely to be more so this time as Russia are doing well. The top four countries are Georgia, who lost to Spain, Russia, who lost to Georgia, Romania, who lost to Georgia and Portugal who lost to Russia.
The match officials are referee Andrew Macpherson and touch judges Graham Knox and John Ferns.
How are you travelling?
Andrew Macpherson: My touch judges and I are flying out from Edinburgh Airport on Saturday morning to head to Bucharest for the Romania vs Russia international in Bucharest.
Getting on with the touch judges?
Andrew Macpherson: I have known Graham Knox and John Ferns for a few years and am delighted that they are coming to help me this weekend. Hopefully we can do a good job and that people talk about a great game rather than any decisions that we have to make!
International experience?
Andrew Macpherson: This will be my second international, having previously refereed Spain vs Russia back in February. That was a very special occasion and one that I had been aiming for ever since I started refereeing seven years ago. That game was a tough one to referee and whilst Russia ran out winners in the end, they did so having played the majority of the match with 14 men, given that I had to send off one of their players after 30 minutes! Hopefully I won't have to do that this time!
Since that game in Madrid, I have continued to referee in the Magners League, and at the end of last season I refereed NZ Maori vs Ireland 'A' in the Barclays Churchill Cup. That match was a step up from anything I had done before, but was a great experience and was a good way to finish off the season.
Season 2007/08 has seen me undertake some exchanges to the English National Division 1, as well as Scottish domestic rugby and Magners League matches in Wales.
Expectations?
Andrew Macpherson: I expect that this weekend will also be a very difficult one to referee (and not just because of the language barriers!). Russia will be looking to continue their good form in the Championship and to try and get a victory over a Romanian team who competed well at the Rugby World Cup last month. I expect that the Romanians will probably be missing their France-based players because of club commitments but that will mean a group of younger players can get their chance - and they will be determined to prove how strong Romanian Rugby is becoming.
And then?
Andrew Macpherson: The weekend after Bucharest, I am off on my travels again, with a trip to Parma to referee in the European Challenge Cup - a busy time awaits!