Axed Premiership referee JP Doyle has broken his silence following RFU redundancy, hinting that he could change career.
“Services no longer required unfortunately due to Covid and the cutbacks at the RFU and the business of the business, I guess. Sport is sport and you have to take your licks and get on with it.” explained Doyle.
One of the best referees in the game, @jpref9 joined the lads this week to chat redundancy, career plans and just what it takes to be at the top of your game for so long.
— The Rugby Pod (@TheRugbyPod) August 26, 2020
Best of luck for the future JP 👊
Watch the full video here 👇https://t.co/DzVsUBbZkA
“When redundancies are happening, and there is a lot of people going through that at the moment, you have just got to go through the process and what will out will out. Often you speak to people and these are great opportunities to reset and go again.
““If I miss out and leave rugby I will be sad. Maybe there is something in and around the media I would love to do, but Covid is contracting everything at the moment so we are just eyes open, wide awake to see what we can find out there.
“I loved teaching before I came into rugby and I still do. We’ll just see what happens.”
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LIST | 4 England internationals you didn’t realise are still playing
Below, we have rounded up four familiar faces that we are certain you will be surprised to learn are still playing for English teams.
Did we miss anybody particularly noteworthy? Make sure you let us know in the comments below.
1. Tom Varndell
National League 2 South Bury St Edmunds RUFC have confirmed the signing of former England international Tom Varndell as a coach and player for next season. Still the Premiership’s record try-scorer with 92 from 180 appearances, primarily from spells at Leicester and Wasps – two of the most successful clubs in the modern era – the 34-year-old had looked to have played his last game after departing Yorkshire Carnegie.
Varndell coup for Bury https://t.co/gKxqwZcniH
— Laura Hudson at home 🏠 (@laura_hudson1) May 15, 2020