Across the pond in the USA, Major League Rugby will welcome one of the world’s most experienced referees to its ranks on Saturday.
JP Doyle has been appointed to run the rule over the match in Marietta between the Toronto Arrows and the Seattle Seawolves. He will be assisted by Brazilian international referee Henrique Platais.
Doyle, who also works as teacher, was controversially let go from his full-time contract with the RFU last August due to budget cutbacks.
He then accepted an invitation to officiate at the inaugural World Tens Series event last fall. In Bermuda he was joined by two referees with MLR experience in Adam Leal and Scott Green.
The 41-year-old Irishman was promoted to England’s national panel in 2006 and became a full-time referee in 2008.
Since then Doyle has accumulated a resume that includes 150 games in the English Premiership including the 2014 Final. He was also a match official at Rugby World Cup 2015.