World Rugby have just released the appointments for the 2015 RBS 6 Nations competition.
You can download them here
Headlines: Massive congratulations to JP Doyle of the RFU, and Glen Jackson (NZ) who get their first 6 Nations matches (It v Fra, and Scot v Wales respectively) and a welcome back to Chris Pollock who returns from injury (It v Wales). Jerome Garces and Steve Walsh each get two appointments.
Interesting to see how much AR time they all get too, with a firm eye on RWC appointments to come later in the year. There also appears to be a nucleus of a TMO group in play too.
World Rugby Match Official Selection Committee Chairman John Jeffrey 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 and TMOs.”
Full release:
World Rugby has announced the match official appointments for the RBS Six Nations 2015, which gets underway in February.
Appointments were made by the World Rugby Match Official Selection Committee at its meeting in Dublin last week and follow a detailed review of recent performances during the November internationals.
The championship opener between Wales and England on Friday, 6 February in Cardiff will be refereed by Jérôme Garcès, one of two appointments for the Frenchman. Australia’s Steve Walsh – who has also received two fixtures – will take charge of the final match on 21 March as England take on France at Twickenham.
The appointments for the 15 championship fixtures feature a blend of northern and southern hemisphere match officials selected on form.
With Rugby World Cup 2015 rapidly approaching, time is running out for the world’s top match officials to stake their claim for inclusion in the panel for the game’s pinnacle tournament.
World Rugby Match Official Selection Committee Chairman John Jeffrey 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 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 selection system allows for movement in and out of the panel based on form and rewards the top performers and young referees who have graduated through the performance pathway.
The World Rugby Match Official Selection Committee, chaired by John Jeffrey, comprises former elite referees Lyndon Bray (SANZAR), Andrew Cole (SANZAR), Donal Courtney (European Rugby Champions Cup), Clayton Thomas (Six Nations) and World Rugby High Performance Match Officials Manager Joël Jutge. The committee meets four times a year and makes selections for the next international window with all performances reviewed in advance of selection