Premiership referee Karl Dickson faces a challenging scenario as the RFU appoints him to officiate the upcoming clash between Northampton Saints and Harlequins this weekend.
Join the RUCK’s WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
Dickson, who is the brother of former Saints No.9 Lee Dickson, had a notable career at Quins as a player, spanning eight years before retiring in 2017. During his time at the club, he shared the pitch with well-known players such as Danny Care and Joe Marler.
While there’s no implication of bias on his part, the decision to assign him to this particular match raises eyebrows and seems unnecessary.
The Saints supporters club wrote on X: “Of course it’s former Harlequins scrum half Karl Dickson taking charge of Saints vs Quins this weekend. Completely absurd and unnecessary.”
Another fan commented: “The same Karl Dickson who played for Harlequins for 8 years and was a teammate of Danny Care??”
This decision puts Dickson in a precarious position. If Quins receive tight calls, he may face criticism from Saints fans.
Conversely, if Saints benefit from marginal decisions, Quins supporters could accuse him of bias due to his history with their club.
Highest-paid players in the world:
As reported by Wales Online, let’s delve deeper into the earnings of today’s highest-paid rugby players.
Siya Kolisi (South Africa) – £800,000
Siya Kolisi, the inspirational Springbok captain, has enjoyed considerable success both on and off the field. His reported salary of £800,000 at Racing 92 reflects his value to the team and his standing as one of the sport’s most influential figures.
Maro Itoje (England) – £800,000
Maro Itoje, the towering English lock, has been the subject of considerable speculation regarding his future earnings. While his reported salary of £800,000 with Saracens is impressive, potential hybrid deals with the RFU could see his income increase even further, highlighting his importance to both club and country.
