Frenchman Pascal Gauzère will be the man in the middle as unbeaten Wales play host to defending champions England in Cardiff in Round 3 of the Guinness Six Nations.
In a match which should not be short on drama, Gauzere will have the Irish duo of Andrew Brace and Frank Murphy giving assistance from the flanks in that one, as the hosts look to continue their unbeaten start to the 2021 Championship.
England will have ideas of their own when they make the journey west, and it will fall to France’s Alex Ruiz to make the tight calls that require the replays as TMO.
The first game of the weekend though, will see Italy and Ireland go head-to-head at Stadio Olimpico, in what promises to be a full-blooded affair in Rome.
With both sides eager to get that first Championship victory under their belt, the tension in this one will be palpable, and it will be another French referee Mathieu Raynal who will be making sure things do not boil over during the 80 minutes.
Raynal will have Scottish official Mike Adamson and Welshman Craig Evans as his deputies in that one, the former fresh from his first Guinness Six Nations refereeing role in the Round 2 clash between the Azzurri and England. Raynal will have compatriot Romain Poite as TMO.
Finally on Sunday, Wayne Barnes will be in charge as Championship leaders France look to maintain their perfect start to the 2021 Guinness Six Nations against Scotland.
The encounter will be Barnes’ 95th international appointment, having already been in charge of Wales’ 21-16 victory over Ireland in Round 1 of the Championship, as he edges ever closer to Nigel Owens’ record of 100 international Tests.
Barnes will have a familiar face in compatriot Matthew Carley alongside him for the clash in Paris, while Italian official Andrea Piardi will be keeping an eye on proceedings from the other flank.
Fellow Englishman Tom Foley will be on hand with any video assistance for Sunday’s clash, having been appointed TMO for that one.
ROUND 3
Italy v Ireland (Stadio Olimpico, Rome; Saturday 27 February 2021 – 2.15pm)
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France) Assistant Referee 1: Mike Adamson (Scotland) Assistant Referee 2: Craig Evans (Wales) TMO: Romain Poite (France)
Wales v England (Principality Stadium, Cardiff; Saturday 27 February 2021 – 4.45pm)
Referee: Pascal Gauzere (France) Assistant Referee 1: Andrew Brace (Ireland) Assistant Referee 2: Frank Murphy (Ireland) TMO: Alex Ruiz (France)
France v Scotland (Stade de France, Paris; Sunday 28 February 2021 – 3pm)
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England) Assistant Referee 1: Matthew Carley (England) Assistant Referee 2: Andrea Piardi (Italy) TMO: Tom Foley (England)
