Referees, ARs and TMOs for 25-27 January

In the week before the 6 Nations begins, there’s still referees needed for some high profile rugby matches.

It’s a regular weekend in both the Pro14 and the French Top 14 – albeit with depleted sides as the internationals are all in camp. One referee appointment to note there is that of Ben Blain (pictured on the right), the Scottish official who will oversee his debut PRO14 match as the Dragons host Munster. 

Dave Pearson, Scottish Rugby’s High Performance Referee Manager congratulated his referee, saying, “Ben becomes the fourth member of the Scottish Rugby Elite Match Officials Panel to referee in the Pro14 this season, following Mike Adamson, Lloyd Linton and Sam Grove-White. This is a clear indication that the processes and systems that we have in place at the SRU High Performance Referee group are working and we are starting to produce a steady stream of referees selected for professional tournaments.”  

In England, it’s a Premiership Cup weekend. Luke Pearce and Wayne Barnes have matches in the middle as they keep warm, so to speak, ahead of their 6 nations matches next weekend. There’s a full roster of RFU Championship matches too. 

In the USA, it’s week one of the new Major League Rugby season. Last year’s final referee, Scott Green (above left) kicks things off in the 2019 season as the New Orleans Gold host the Toronto Arrows. 

And in addition to all that, there’s the next round of the World Sevens series as the men’s competition hits Hamilton in New Zealand.

Enjoy the build-up to the Six Nations!

World Sevens Series – Hamilton (Mens competition)

Referees: James Doleman (New Zealand), Craig Evans (Wales), Sam Grove-White (Scotland), Richard Haughton (England), Richard Kelly (New Zealand), Damon Murphy (Australia), Matt Rodden (Hong Kong), Jérémy Rozier (France), Jordan Way (Australia)

Guinness PRO14 – Round 14

Glasgow Warriors v Ospreys
Referee: John Lacey (IRFU)
ARs: Dave Sutherland (SRU) & Rob Sullivan (IRFU)
TMO: Charles Samson (SRU)

Leinster v Scarlets
Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR)
ARs: Frank Murphy (IRFU) & Vincenzo Schipani (FIR)
TMO: Olly Hodges (IRFU)

Ulster v Benetton
Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU)
ARs: Andrew Brace (IRFU) & Rhys Jones (WRU)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRFU)

Dragons v Munster
Referee: Ben Blain (SRU) 
ARs: Keith Allen (SRU) & Finn Brown (SRU)
TMO: Dave Pearson (SRU)

Toyota Cheetahs v Zebre
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
ARs: Paul Mente (SARU) & Ben Crouse (SARU)
TMO: Johan Greeff (SARU)

Cardiff Blues v Connacht
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)
ARs: Adam Jones (WRU) & Lloyd Linton (SRU)
TMO: Ian Davies (WRU)

Isuzu Southern Kings v Edinburgh
Referee: Dan Jones (WRU)
ARs: Stuart Berry (SARU) & Ruhan Meiring (SARU)
TMO: Sean Veldsman (SARU)

Gallagher Premiership Cup