Match officials confirmed for this weekend, including England vs South Africa referee - Ruck

Match officials confirmed for this weekend, including England vs South Africa referee


Referee appointments for this weekend’s Autumn Nations Series, including the England vs South Africa referee at Twickenham on Saturday.

In total, 23 match officials representing 10 nations will take charge of the 37 November tests.

England vs South Africa referee – Twickenham, London

Saturday, 26 November, 2022 Referee: Angus Gardner (RA)

Assistant Referee 1: Andrew Brace (IRFU)

Assistant Referee 2: Pierre Brousset (FFR)

TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)

England vs South Africa referee
Referee, Angus Gardner checks with the TMO before giving England the victory during the Quilter International Match between England and South Africa at Twickenham Stadium, Richmond, London on November 3. – PHOTO: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

Wales vs Australia referee – Principality Stadium, Cardiff

Saturday, 26 November, 2022

Referee: Matthew Carley (RFU)

Assistant Referee 1: Luke Pearce (RFU)

Assistant Referee 2: Chris Busby (IRFU)

TMO: Joy Neville (IRFU)

Referee Matthew Carley during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Sale Sharks and Bath Rugby on the fourth weekend of the Return to Rugby campaign as rugby continues after COVID 19 lockdown at AJ Bell Stadium on 13 Sep. Photo: Steve Bond/PPAUK/Gallagher

International referees name which player was the hardest to officiate

International rugby union referees have a pretty tough gig.

It’s their job to officiate 30 players who are desperate to win in front of tens of thousands of supporters who complain and abuse you for every decision you make.

Yes, they’re probably well rewarded financially but is there another job in the world where you get as much abuse and scrutiny by so many people? Probably not.

f an entire stadium calling you a w**ker for 90 minutes isn’t enough to make you cry then what about players screaming in your face?

In fairness, dissent in international rugby isn’t as big of a problem compared to something like football.

But who are the worst players to manage in rugby history? 

Well, we’ve discovered quotes from six of the world’s finest officials down the years who told stories about trying to control some of football’s bad boys.

Interestingly, one name cropped up on three occasions…

Matthew Carley – Steve Borthwick

On Borthwick: “A difficult question. When I first started refereeing in the Premiership Steve Borthwick was one of the guys who was pretty intimidating.

“He saw that everything was on ‘his terms, whether you like it or not’. He had such presence. I think you learn how to deal with people like that as a ref, but Steve Borthwick, was as tough as they come.” 

Steve Borthwick and Neal Hatley talk before the Guinness Six Nations Championship match between Wales and England at Principality Stadium on February 23, 2018 in Cardiff, Wales. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

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