Trio of Irish refs set for Six Nations action
Monday, 10 December 2001 15:14Irish rugby referees have received a massive vote of confidence by the nomination of three to take charge of upcoming Lloyds TSB Six Nations Championship games. Alan Lewis (France V Italy, February 2), David McHugh (Wales V France, February 16) and Alain Rolland (Scotland V France, March 23) have all been chosen to referee top matches and the trio will also be acting as touch judges in other fixtures.
"This is a very significant boost for Irish referees. It illustrates the huge effort made by the IRFU in this area and it also reflects the commitment by all our referees," said Owen Doyle, IRFU Director of Referee Development.
Meanwhile, the referees to officiate Ireland's Six Nations matches were also unveiled this morning, with Argentina's Pablo Deluca down to oversee proceedings in Ireland's opener with Wales at Lansdowne Road on February 3. Australia's experienced ref Peter Marshall will be in charge of the England v Ireland clash at Twickenham a fortnight later.
Welsh referee Nigel Whitehouse will take control of Scotland's visit to Dublin in early March, while Rob Dickson from Scotland will be at Lansdowne for the visit of Italy at the end of the same month. New Zealand's Paddy O'Brien will take charge of Ireland's final match with France in Paris on April 6.
Full list of referees and judges for Ireland's matches are:
Feb 3, Ireland v Wales (Dublin): Referee: Pablo Deluca (Arg), Touch Judge 1: Kelvin Deaker (NZ), TJ 2: Rob Dickson (Scot).
Feb 16, England v Ireland (Twickenham): Ref: Peter Marshall (Aust), TJ 1 Steve Walsh (NZ), TJ 2 Joel Dume (Fra).
Mar 2, Ireland v Scotland (Dublin): Ref: Nigel Whitehouse (Wales), TJ 1 Steve Lander (Eng), TJ 2 Joel Jutge (Fra).
Mar 23, Ireland v Italy (Dublin): Ref: Rob Dickson (Scot), TJ 1 Joel Dume (Fra), TJ 2 Nigel Whitehouse (Wal).
Apr 6, France v Ireland (Paris): Ref: Paddy O'Brien (NZ), TJ 1 Chris White (Eng), TJ 2 Nigel Whitehouse (Wal).
Filed by Shane Murray
