France vs Wales referee drops out of Six Nations opener following abuse

Wednesday, 29 January 2025 at 09:47

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byRugby Rucker

Chris Busby isn’t hanging up the whistle just yet—despite reports suggesting the referee had already officiated his final match.

Find your local Greene King and settle in for the 2025 Six Nations!

The Irish official found himself at the centre of a storm last month after Connacht star Mack Hansen unleashed an expletive-laden rant about officiating following their United Rugby Championship defeat to Leinster.

While Hansen didn’t directly call out Busby, he slammed the inconsistency at the Aviva Stadium—setting the stage for speculation over the referee’s future.

Rumours quickly swirled that Busby had walked away mid-season, but that’s wide of the mark.

However, he has been pulled from the 2025 Six Nations opener, with Italy’s Andrea Piardi now stepping in as assistant in Paris.

As for Hansen, he hasn’t escaped unscathed. The wing has been hit with a six-match ban (three suspended) and must complete a course before sharing his learnings with his Connacht teammates.

Guinness Men’s Six Nations 2025 appointments

Round 1: 31 Jan-1 Feb

France v Wales
Referee: Paul Williams (NZ)
ARs: ~~Chris Busby (Ire)~~ Andrea Piardi (Ita) & Jordan Way (Aus)
TMO: Brett Cronan (Aus)
FPRO: Damon Murphy (Aus)

Scotland v Italy
Referee: Karl Dickson (Eng)
ARs: Luke Pearce (Eng) & Damian Schneider (Arg)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SA)
FPRO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)

Ireland v England
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
ARs: James Doleman (NZ) & Hollie Davidson (Sco)
TMO: Glenn Newman (NZ)
FPRO: Richard Kelly (NZ)

Round 2: 8-9 Feb

Italy v Wales
Referee: Matthew Carley (Eng)
ARs: Paul Williams (NZ) & Sam Grove-White (Sco)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
FPRO: Glenn Newman (NZ)

England v France
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Geo)
ARs: Andrea Piardi (Ita) & Damian Schneider (Arg)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)
FPRO: Marius Jonker (SA)

Scotland v Ireland
Referee: James Doleman (NZ)
ARs: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ) & Pierre Brousset (Fra)
TMO: Richard Kelly (NZ)
FPRO: Andrew Jackson (Eng)

Round 3: 22-23 Feb

Wales v Ireland
Referee: Christophe Ridley (Eng)
ARs: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) & Gianluca Gnecchi (Ita)
TMO: Ian Tempest (Eng)
FPRO: Matteo Liperini (Ita)

England v Scotland
Referee: Pierre Brousset (Fra)
ARs: Andrew Brace (Ire) & Luc Ramos (Fra)
TMO: Tual Trainini (Fra)
FPRO: Quinton Immelman (SA)

Italy v France
Referee: Karl Dickson (Eng)
ARs: ~~Chris Busby (Ire)~~ Craig Evans (Wal) & Eoghan Cross (Ire)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wal)
FPRO: Mike Adamson (Sco)

Round 4: 8-9 March

Ireland v France
Referee: Angus Gardner (Aus)
ARs: Matthew Carley (Eng) & Christophe Ridley (Eng)
TMO: Ian Tempest (Eng)
FPRO: Andrew Jackson (Eng)

Scotland v Wales
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Ita)
ARs: Nic Berry (Aus) & Gianluca Gnecchi (Ita)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
FPRO: Tual Trainini (Fra)

England v Italy
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ire)
ARs: Craig Evans (Wal) & Luc Ramos (Fra)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SA)
FPRO: Mike Adamson (Sco)

Round 5: 15 March

Italy v Ireland
Referee: Luke Pearce (Eng)
ARs: Angus Gardner (Aus) & Morné Ferreira (SA)
TMO: Andrew Jackson (Eng)
FPRO: Tual Trainini (Fra)

Wales v England
Referee: Nic Berry (Aus)
ARs: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) & Hollie Davidson (Sco)
TMO: Mike Adamson (Sco)
FPRO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)

France v Scotland
Referee: Matthew Carley (Eng)
ARs: Karl Dickson (Eng) & Eoghan Cross (Ire)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)
FPRO: Ian Tempest (Eng)

NIGEL OWENS SIX NATIONS DREAM XV:

Hailing from Wales, Owens has left an enduring impact on the sport, captivating global audiences with his distinctive officiating style.

Having officiated numerous exceptionally talented players throughout his illustrious career, Owens has now revealed his extraordinary XV lineup, as reported by Wales Online. Notably, a substantial portion of his picks includes individuals who have proudly worn the captain's armband.

Delving into his honourable mentions and other interviews, we've compiled Owens' Six Nations dream team, necessitating six changes from his original selection.

NIGEL OWENS DREAM XV:

Fullback: Israel Folau (Australia), replaced by Leigh Halfpenny (Wales)

Owens said: "For me, it’s nip and tuck between Halfpenny and Folau, next to nothing to choose between them. Leigh is brilliant because under the high ball and with his kicking at goal under pressure. He may not always break the line when running but puts his body on the line in defence and is a top-notch match-winner."

Winger: Stuart Hogg (Scotland)

Owens said: "How can you fail to be impressed when watching Hogg play. He’s so exciting as he burst into that line and, of course, was named Six Nations player of the tournament.

"I know he’s a full-back for Scotland, but he is so quick and direct he could easily play on the wing. He reminds me a bit of Shane Williams with some of the things he does.

"When you see who is on the other wing in my team, you’ll see how they would work brilliantly in tandem."

Outside-centre: Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland)

Owens said: "Not only is he one of the greatest centres in the history of rugby union but he’s a fantastic man off the field as well. O’Driscoll has been a wonderful ambassador for the sport and a real leader. He always respected referees and set the right example for others to follow.

"A legend of the game who conducted himself superbly, on and off the pitch."

Inside-centre: Ma'a Nonu (New Zealand), replaced by Owen Farrell (England)

Owens praised Farrell as a player on numerous occasions.

On one occasion he wrote: "I can only speak from my own experience of refereeing him and, when I did, he was an excellent captain to deal with.

"I have a huge amount of respect for him as a player and a person. He always knew where the line was with me.

"I would say to him that he could always come and talk to me as long as it was at the right time and in the right tone and he always did that."

Winger: Shane Williams (Wales)

Owens said: "When people ask me who is the best player I have refereed it’s pretty much an impossible task to pick one because I’ve been lucky enough to take charge of so many greats.

"But if I’m pushed, I would pick Shane for what he achieved after coming from football at 17 or 18 years of age.

"He was in the mould of Gerald Davies in how he left defenders gasping for air as he beat them with those dazzling sidesteps. Nobody would fancy defending against a back three of Shane, Hogg and Folau, I can tell you that."

Fly-half: Dan Carter (New Zealand), replaced by Dan Biggar (Wales)

Owens said: "He’s so focused and so passionate about what he’s doing, we’ve had a few run ins on the pitch down the years.

“I mean, it’s always been in a respectful way as we always have a drink and a laugh after the game.”

Scrum-half: Agustin Pichot (Argentina), replaced by Dwayne Peel (Wales)

Owens said: "I used to love watching Dwayne Peel in his prime as a scrum-half for those few years between 2004-06 with Wales, the Lions and Llanelli. Talented, a great guy, he also has a house just up the road from me!"

Loosehead-prop: Gethin Jenkins (Wales)

Owens said: "He rarely smiles but has been a terrific player at loose-head prop. When I’ve penalised him and he’s smiled, I know I’d got the decision right!

"But, suffice to say, he hasn’t smiled often when I’ve refereed him. Another who has stood the test of time, which speaks volumes about his ability and character."

Hooker: John Smit (South Africa), replaced by Rory Best (Ireland)

Rory Best of Ireland during the Summer International match between England and Ireland at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on the 24th August 2019. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK.

Tighthead-prop: Phil Vickery (England)

Owens said: "I always had a lot of time for him, found him a decent man, a good player to referee. He wasn’t one of those who would whinge at decisions, he would accept the call and get on with it.

"As a player, at his peak with Wasps during their European runs and with England in 2007, he was a formidable force.

"Just about edges out Carl Hayman, another great player and a pretty honest one as well. When he got it wrong and I penalised him, he would accept it."

Lock: Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)

Owens said: "A man of few words, he does his talking on the field with his actions. Not only is he a brilliant player and a very good captain but I don’t think I have reffed a match where he hasn’t given absolutely everything."

Lock: Paul O'Connell (Ireland)

Owens said: "Quite simply he was just an exceptional leader. I have been in charge of games where he pretty much carried his team, whether it was Munster or Ireland, almost on his back and onto victory."

Blindside-flanker: Thierry Dusautoir (France)

Owens said: "My choice as the best skipper I encountered may raise a few eyebrows, but what a captain Dusautoir was. He unfailingly put his body on the line throughout his career — recall the 38 tackles he made when France knocked the All Blacks out of the 2007 World Cup — led by example and understood the game very well.

"Also, he was exemplary in the way he conducted himself.

"There were never any complaints from him over refereeing, not even when borderline decisions went against France. When his team were crushed 62-13 by New Zealand during the 2015 World Cup, he wasn’t tempted to blame anyone.

"He acted as a true leader should act."

Openside-flanker: Chris Robshaw (England), replaced Richie McCaw (New Zealand)

Owens included Chris Robshaw on his list of best captains.

Known for his exceptional work rate and leadership skills, Robshaw was a dynamic flanker who made a significant impact on the field. He enjoyed a successful club career with Harlequins, where he played for over a decade. Robshaw's dedication and commitment to the sport earned him numerous accolades and the respect of his peers.

Owens said: "Some people will be surprised at this one to start off. His misfortune was perhaps to be leading England during a difficult time, but he always gave everything for the cause, encouraging others to follow suit, and he was a nice guy off the pitch."

Number 8: Sergio Parisse (Italy)

Owens said: "I’ve been fortunate to have refereed some tremendous No.8s during my career but Sergio is tops. He’s such a talented player and rarely has a bad game.

"Maybe there’s a tendency to try and do too much because he’s been in an Italy or Stade Francais team which hasn’t been at its best, but he’s been extraordinary."

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