# Referees

Last week

19th March 2023 - 25th March 2023

# OFFICIAL

Referees confirmed for Champions Cup round-of-16 clashes

The matchups include Leinster v Ulster and Cell C Sharks v Munster Rugby.

6.0k

Mar 21st 2023, 1:48 PM

Last year

2022

# var

Referees ‘made to look foolish’ by Premier League’s usage of VAR

West Ham and Newcastle had goals controversially disallowed on Saturday following checks.

5.0k

Sep 5th 2022, 1:50 PM

# Mitigation

URC ref boss says there's too much inconsistency with high tackle decisions

EPCR and the URC will hold a workshop next week as they look to nail down a clear message.

4.7k

Apr 21st 2022, 9:17 AM

# Match Officials

'Do we come down hard on the referees? Yes, we have very honest chats'

The URC’s head of match officials, Tappe Henning, has been busy since joining in December.

8.0k

Apr 20th 2022, 7:00 PM

# Match Officials

Peyper and Gardner among referees for Ireland's Six Nations clashes

The IRFU’s Andrew Brace, Frank Murphy, Chris Busby, Joy Neville, and Brian MacNeice are also involved.

4.2k

Jan 17th 2022, 4:30 PM

All time

# Sport

Two-thirds of referees leave within two years over abuse, FAI says

An Oireachtas committee heard evidence from Ireland’s largest sporting organisations about the abuse that referees face.

9.5k

Dec 1st 2021, 6:30 PM

# shortage

Munster hope to resolve refereeing dispute 'as a matter of urgency'

The Munster Association of Referees has issues with the Branch’s proposed governance changes.

15.6k

Nov 9th 2021, 4:18 PM

# Ref Justice

‘A sad day for football’: Dublin youth league fixtures cancelled following referee abuse

550 Dublin schoolboy and schoolgirl games to be cancelled in response to ‘constant abuse and threatening behaviour’.

51.1k

Nov 8th 2021, 4:08 PM

# on the whistle

IRFU refs Brace and Murphy appointed to European semi-final clashes

Nigel Owens and Mike Adamson will be in charge of the other two fixtures.

5.1k

Sep 22nd 2020, 11:27 AM

# Taking Charge

Referees appointed for Leinster and Ulster Champions Cup quarter-finals

EPCR has confirmed the officiating line-ups.

6.1k

Sep 8th 2020, 1:26 PM

# Men in Black

Refs chief on Clifford's red and why more time should've been played at end of Meath-Mayo

Willie Barrett discusses the weekend’s time-keeping issues and David Clifford’s controversial red card.

45.9k

Feb 10th 2020, 9:27 PM

# Referees

Peyper apologies for 'inappropriate' photo as Owens and Garcès get semi-finals

The South African referee was not considered for selection this weekend.

11.1k

Oct 22nd 2019, 2:36 AM

# heating up

All Blacks name strong XV as Hansen accuses Erasmus of pressuring referee

The Kiwis have gone for Ryan Crotty and Anton Lienert-Brown in midfield.

12.6k

Sep 19th 2019, 7:29 AM

# decisions

World Rugby aims for consistency with new high tackle framework

Owen Farrell’s shoulder charge against South Africa last November should have seen him yellow-carded.

8.2k

May 27th 2019, 9:55 AM

# Men in Black

'We have to protect the head' - GAA referees will crack down on high tackles this summer

Officials will be less forgiving for any tackles around head area over the coming months.

5.5k

May 15th 2019, 5:44 PM

# The Breakdown

'If a clear out is illegal then we need to referee that and get it out of the game'

Nigel Owens says it is up to the ‘guardians of the game’ to ensure players entering rucks dangerously are punished.

12.1k

Apr 8th 2019, 5:00 PM

# heated debate

'It's not surprising. People generally are sceptical of change. That's true in any walk of life.'

The new rules for Gaelic football have sparked plenty reaction.

3.8k

Nov 27th 2018, 6:01 PM

# daniel sweeney

Possible lifetime ban to be brought in for people who assault referees

A new tiered system of sanctions is set to be introduced.

16.2k

Nov 16th 2018, 2:14 PM

# No Show

'We paid €650 for a bus to Galway and no linesmen showed up. It's a complete lack of respect'

Galway and Limerick played their final WNL game of the season on Sunday, but a goalkeeping coach and another local man had to act as the referee’s assistants.

40.5k

Nov 2nd 2018, 8:36 AM

# sideshow

All-Ireland hurling final ref Owens 'can understand' James McGrath's outrage after snub

‘I would have been upset if I didn’t get the call,’ the Wexford man said.

10.7k

Oct 16th 2018, 4:25 PM

# trend

Ball-carriers, beware! Clampdown on the leading forearm/elbow continues

Scarlets centre Kieron Fonotia has been banned for three weeks.

13.4k

Oct 9th 2018, 6:44 PM

# Whistleblowers

How the Pro14 is aiming to bring about 'world-class' refereeing

Greg Garner, the Pro14′s elite referee manager, explains their five-year plan.

14.4k

Oct 7th 2018, 7:00 AM

# bad officiating

Despite all the technology in the world, NFL referees continue to be terrible

2018 is proving to be a great season except in one area, writes Steve O’Rourke.

9.8k

Oct 1st 2018, 3:56 PM

# Try: Yes or No?

What role should the TMO play in rugby? A key question for the sport

World Rugby expressed its unhappiness with the current situation in July.

8.4k

Sep 16th 2018, 9:00 AM

# on the whistle

Munster, Leinster and Ulster set for French refs in first round of Champions Cup

Romain Poite, Pascal Gaüzère and Jérôme Garcès are first up for the Irish provinces.

4.9k

Sep 13th 2018, 3:23 PM

# Jackal

'That's where you're getting so much punishment - three massive free shots'

Sean O’Brien is making his way back from a shoulder injury and wants jackaling players to be protected.

33.7k

Aug 29th 2018, 12:00 PM

# Men in Black

Here are the 18 football and 10 hurling referees for the 2018 championship

The GAA has released its panel of officials for the summer.

17.2k

Apr 12th 2018, 10:00 AM

# Men in the Middle

Owens to ref Munster, Leinster get Garcès, and Poite in charge for Connacht

EPCR has confirmed the refereeing appointments for the European quarter-finals.

6.5k

Feb 28th 2018, 12:17 PM

# Interview

Lions 10 Johnny Sexton proving his doubters wrong once again

Warren Gatland turned to the Ireland out-half in the Lions’ time of need and he delivered.

32.4k

Jul 7th 2017, 8:00 AM

# Men in Black

Cormac Reilly back in mix to referee football championship after being left out last year

The GAA announce their list of officials for this summer’s Gaelic football and hurling championships.

7.4k

May 9th 2017, 4:09 PM

# Analysis

Referees not learning from Coleman incident and more Premier League talking points

There were some ill-tempered moments in today’s Merseyside Derby.

9.7k

Apr 1st 2017, 9:24 PM

# on the whistle

Peyper, Garcès and Poite to referee Lions' Tests against All Blacks

World Rugby have also confirmed the match officials for Ireland’s summer tour.

5.9k

Mar 23rd 2017, 4:22 PM

# Appointments

Ex-Ireland captain Joy Neville to take charge of potential Women's Six Nations decider

Helen O’Reilly and Simon McDowell will also be on duty during the Championship in 2017.

3.9k

Dec 20th 2016, 5:23 PM

# It's Just Not Working

'The black card has been a failure for the association in all respects' - Tyrone official hits out

Strong words of criticism here for the disciplinary rule.

3.7k

Dec 8th 2016, 11:23 AM

# Better late than never

Premier League running secret trials for video referees

Secret non-live trials using video technology to assess refereeing decisions have been conducted in 12 games in the top flight this season.

4.2k

Nov 17th 2016, 10:40 AM

# Interview

Eamonn O'Hara blasts 'pathetic' refereeing as blight on Gaelic football

And the former Sligo footballer believes the introduction of the mark will do little to change the style of play that is bemoaned by so many.

10.6k

Apr 17th 2016, 8:00 AM

# Whistleblowers

Lacey gets Challenge semi with Owens and Poite in charge for Champions Cup

EPCR have announced the referees for the European semi-finals weekend.

4.3k

Apr 14th 2016, 5:02 PM

# law book

World Rugby has confirmed more fascinating law trials for 2016

The offside line will be one metre back from a new ‘breakdown,’ with two referees on the pitch.

18.6k

Jan 5th 2016, 1:36 PM

# where when who

21 months later: Jerome Garces will take charge of Saracens v Ulster

Nigel Owens will take charge of Munster’s postponed trip to Paris.

6.5k

Dec 23rd 2015, 5:48 PM

# Men in the Middle

We now know who will referee Ireland's games at the Rugby World Cup

Nigel Owens will take charge of Ireland v France.

12.8k

Jul 1st 2015, 4:37 PM