Luke Pearce will referee Scotland’s intriguing battle with Ireland at BT Murrayfield on Sunday in Round 4 of the Guinness Six Nations.
The Championship is coming towards a thrilling conclusion, with Ireland’s quest for a Grand Slam continuing as Scotland chase down a first Triple Crown for almost 30 years and it is Englishman Pearce who will take control.
He is joined by compatriots Wayne Barnes and Christophe Ridley as assistant referees, while Stuart Terheege takes on TMO responsibilities.
The action all begins in Rome on Saturday, where Italy and Wales do battle in a match in which both teams are desperate for a first win of the Championship this campaign.
Australian Damon Murphy takes charge of a mult-national team of officials for that clash, with Englishman Karl Dickson and Ireland’s Chris Busby running the line, while Joy Neville is the TMO.
In Saturday’s other match, England host France in the latest edition of Le Crunch at Twickenham with both sides chasing down Ireland on two wins from three.
New Zealander Ben O’Keeffe is the man in the middle for that one, as Steve Borthwick prepares for his first Le Crunch as England head coach.
O’Keeffe took charge of England’s Calcutta Cup defeat to Scotland at BT Murrayfield a year ago and he is joined by able assistants Andrea Piardi of Italy and South Africa’s Jaco Peyper, who will referee England’s visit to Dublin on Super Saturday.
Australian Brett Conan will be the TMO for Twickenham’s tasty affair.
GUINNESS SIX NATIONS ROUND 4 MATCH OFFICIALS
Italy v Wales (Stadio Olimpico, Rome; Saturday 11 March – 2.15pm)
Referee: Damon Murphy (RA)
Assistant Referee 1: Karl Dickson (RFU)
Assistant Referee 2: Chris Busby (IRFU)
TMO: Joy Neville (IRFU)
England v France (Twickenham Stadium, London; Saturday 11 March – 4.45pm)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR)
Assistant Referee 1: Jaco Peyper (SARU)
Assistant Referee 2: Andrea Piardi (FIR)
TMO: Brett Cronan (RA)
Scotland v Ireland (BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh; Sunday 12 March – 3pm)
Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU)
Assistant Referee 1: Wayne Barnes (RFU)
Assistant Referee 2: Christophe Ridley (RFU)
TMO: Stuart Terheege (RFU)
