England Rugby pay tribute to former referee Fred Howard

A member of the Liverpool Rugby Referees’ Society, Howard officiated at Test level from 1983 to 1992, taking charge of 20 international matches. Renowned for his authority and decisiveness, he earned the nickname “Fearless Fred” for his willingness to make the toughest calls when it mattered most.

During a time when dismissals were rare, Howard sent off four players in Test rugby. Among the most notable was Australia’s David Codey at the 1987 Rugby World Cup, when the Wallabies faced Wales in the third-place play-off. Codey became the first Australian ever to receive a red card in a Test match after being dismissed just five minutes into the contest for stamping on Robert Jones.

Domestically, Howard was a trusted figure for English rugby’s biggest occasions. He refereed the RFU Knockout Cup final at Twickenham for five consecutive seasons from 1986 to 1990, underlining his reputation as the official for major matches. The 1990 final again demonstrated his uncompromising approach, as Gloucester’s John Gadd was shown a red card.

Educated at Cowley School in St Helens – a noted breeding ground for rugby talent – and at Hull University, Howard worked professionally as a geography teacher and later as a sports goods retailer. He had previously played on the wing for Waterloo, but a serious knee injury at just 23 ended his playing career and led him into refereeing.

Howard’s contribution to the game extended well beyond his time at the top. Even in his 80th year, he continued to mentor emerging refereeing talent across the North West of England, leaving a lasting legacy both on and off the field.