Premiership legend makes his debut as full time professional referee

Former Harlequins scrum-half Karl Dickson has become a professional referee following his retirement from playing.

He follows a number of scrum-halves who have picked up the whistle following retirement.

Glen Jackson, the former Saracens fly-half, is now an international referee while Frank Murphy and Nic Berry, ex-Leicester and Wasps No 9s, regularly officiate in the PRO12 and on the Super Rugby circuit respectively.

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He began refereeing qualifications more than three years ago and the Rugby Football Union announced that he will join their professional game match officials team in July.

While still playing, Dickson has refereed two Premiership A League semi-finals while he also took charge of the Championship clash between London Irish and Richmond in December.

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