Joël Jutge, left, will be returning to World Rugby as Head of Match Officials in January. He will report to the new Director of Rugby and High Performance, Joe Schmidt.
He has been with the European rugby body, EPCR, since 2015, having held the same role at World Rugby from 2012. He retired from elite refereeing in 2008 having officiated at two Rugby World Cups (2003 & 07).
In his role as at EPCR, he has remained at the heart of international match officials matters as a selector on the World Rugby Match Officials Selection Committee, chaired by Graham Mourie.
Jutge will be responsible for overseeing the performance management and development of international match officials – men and women – working to help them to deliver high quality refereeing performances and to prepare for Rugby World Cups in 2021 in New Zealand and 2023 in France.
Jutge will work closely with Referee Talent Development Manager Alhambra Nievas, Referee Talent Development Coach Craig Joubert and the laws and player welfare functions within a new Rugby and High Performance department under Schmidt. He will also work closely with the off-field disciplinary personnel under the independent Judicial Panel Chairman Christopher Quinlan QC.
World Rugby Chief Executive Brett Gosper said, “We are delighted to be welcoming Joël back to the team. The complementary combination of Joel and Joe Schmidt as a team will provide a fresh and progressive approach to the game as well as creating a high performance culture that will aspire to the highest-possible standards of match officiating.
(Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)
“They will work closely with the new High Performance 15s Committee as World Rugby continues to shape a game that includes the highest standards of player welfare and is attractive to players and fans.”
Schmidt added, “Joël is a perfect fit for this important role and joins with a wealth of experience. Over his many years involved with elite refereeing, he has developed positive relationships with coaches and unions. He has a proven record of developing and managing referees and I look forward to working with him to continue to support and challenge match officials.”
Jutge added, “I am excited to be re-joining World Rugby, which is very much like coming home for me. I am hugely looking forward to working with a talented team of match officials to aspire to achieve the highest-possible performance standards at Rugby World Cup 2021 and 2023 and working with unions to identify and develop the next generation of test match officials.”
We all wish him well in his new/old role!