Referee Wayne Barnes had intended to hang up his whistle following the 2019 Rugby World Cup – but was convinced to keep going by fellow referee’s.
However, following the recent retirements of his good friends Nigel Owens and Romain Poite, Barnes is reportedly ready to quit in 2023.
Next year, selection permitting, will be his fifth Rugby World Cup; he has a growing young family and his wife, Polly, has just had a work promotion.
He also wants to give more time to his “other” job, as a barrister specialising in bribery and corruption at a London chambers.
DID YOU KNOW? In January 2022, Barnes refereed his 250th premiership rugby match
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Wayne Barnes names the FIVE toughest players to referee
#5. Joe Marler (England)
BARNES SAID: ” “He was always a funny one on the field in nice way. You’d be trying to tell him something serious and he’d just want to have a laugh and a joke.
“But he does bring a smile to your face. That is what is unique about our sport, the interaction between players and refs and refs and coaches. It does show our sport off in a good light.”
