Englishman Matthew Carley will have the honour of kicking off the 2021 Guinness Six Nations as he takes charge of Italy’s clash with France in Rome on Saturday.
The same fixture in 2019 marked Carley’s first as a referee in the Championship and he will now return to the Stadio Olimpico to oversee both team’s attempts to start their respective campaigns on a high.
The 36-year-old has been an active official in the Guinness Six Nations since 2017, when he first appeared as an assistant referee, and he was in the middle for two matches – France’s win in Cardiff and Ireland’s victory over Italy – in last year’s competition.
Carley will be assisted by fellow countryman Christophe Ridley and Scotland’s Mike Adamson, while Karl Dickson is on TMO duties.
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Andrew Brace will be in control at Twickenham as England and Scotland battle it out for the Calcutta Cup.
Like Carley, Brace took charge of two matches last year – the most recent of which was the re-arranged Round 5 clash between Wales and Scotland in October.
French duo Pascal Gauzere and Mathieu Raynal will assist the Irish official on Saturday, with Joy Neville in the TMO chair.
GUINNESS SIX NATIONS 2021 FIXTURE LIST
On Sunday, Wayne Barnes takes the next step on his journey towards a century of internationals as he takes the whistle for Ireland’s trip to Cardiff to take on Wales.
This will be Test number 94 for the 41-year-old, who is seeking to follow the now retired Nigel Owens in reaching three figures.
Barnes’ assistants at the Principality Stadium will be Luke Pearce and Alex Ruiz, and the TMO is Tom Foley.
Italy v France (Stadio Olimpico, Rome; Saturday 6 February – 2.15pm)
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
Assistant Referee 1: Mike Adamson (Scotland)
Assistant Referee 2: Christophe Ridley (England)
TMO: Karl Dickson (England)
England v Scotland (Twickenham Stadium, London; Saturday 6 February – 4.45pm)
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Assistant Referee 1: Pascal Gauzere (France)
Assistant Referee 2: Mathieu Raynal (France)
TMO: Joy Neville (Ireland)
Wales v Ireland (Principality Stadium, Cardiff; Sunday 7 February – 3pm)
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Assistant Referee 1: Luke Pearce (England)
Assistant Referee 2: Alex Ruiz (France)
TMO: Tom Foley (England)
