Didn’t realise that Barnes was retiring. Is he going before the Workd Cup? Shame as he has been our top Ref for years.
Agreed about Doyle and also good to see Clancy on touch duties and no more. I also share RCG’s views on Peyper but clearly those that matter see something we don’t.
Interesting to see John Lacey with no appointment, middle or line, other than the Barbarians game at the end of the series of matches. Is he falling out of favour and could Andrew Brace, who I rate highly, be Ireland’s next top Ref? And women touch judges too!
One of the most interesting things for me is the appointment to 2 Tests of Karl Dickson the former Harlequins scrum half. Although he retired less than 2 years ago he has been reffing in lower leagues for a few years and been in the RFU’s accelerated training scheme since retirement. To get his first Tests so soon must indicate a good ability and promise for the future.