Wayne Barnes, the most experienced referee of all time, will be the man in charge when last year’s top two face off in one of the standout fixtures of the 2023 Guinness Six Nations.
Barnes, who celebrated his 100th Test as a referee during the Autumn Nations Series, will be on the whistle at the Aviva Stadium when Ireland, runners-up in 2022, welcome Grand Slam champions France, the only side to defeat them in last year’s Championship.
Joining Barnes will be compatriot Matthew Carley and Australian Jordan Way, who will be his assistants, while Brendon Pickerill of New Zealand will be the TMO.
The action on Saturday continues when Scotland play host to Wales at BT Murrayfield, with Ireland’s Andrew Brace the man in the middle for that encounter.
Brace is part of an officiating crew that all hail from Ireland, with Frank Murphy and Chris Busby his assistants and Brian MacNeice acting as the TMO.
Finally, the curtain will come down on round two at Twickenham where England entertain Italy on Sunday, with New Zealander James Doleman in charge for that one.
Doleman will be working with a trio of Frenchmen, as Mathieu Raynal and Tual Trainini serve as his assistants, with Eric Gauzins on video duties.
Match officials for Round 2 of the Guinness Six Nations
Ireland v France (Aviva Stadium, Dublin; Saturday 11 February – 2.15pm)
Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU) Assistant Referee 1: Matthew Carley (RFU) Assistant Referee 2: Jordan Way (RA) TMO: Brendon Pickerill (NZR)
Scotland v Wales (BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh; Saturday 11 February – 4.45pm)
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU) Assistant Referee 1: Frank Murphy (IRFU) Assistant Referee 2: Chris Busby (IRFU) TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRFU)
England v Italy (Twickenham Stadium, London; Sunday 12 February – 3pm)
Referee: James Doleman (NZR) Assistant Referee 1: Mathieu Raynal (FFR) Assistant Referee 2: Tual Trainini (FFR) TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
