RateTheRef

Absolutely expected appointments generally for me judging by the Autumn Nations series.

Happy the SH guys take the last potentially deciding round of fixtures. People may say Berry has the bigger match (and that is true, but for me he needs to be tested where Gardner has more than proved his capabilities).

Also clear that again on paper WR have appointed Barnes for the top 2 ranked sides in the competition. Surely, if England don't get to the final he MUST be the top guy!!

There is only 1 window left now after these appointments for the refs to get to France (10 are pretty nailed on for me).

Great appointment for Dickson (big ask as I had a more experienced official Pearce down for that) - probably edging ahead for me with Amashukeli taking the last 2 spots in France. Yep, I think we will see 4 English officials as main refs!

Murphy/Adamson/Doleman getting appointments at the right level making things a lot clearer for me who WR are looking at.

Also now becoming clearer who the AR's will be too with Ridley, Piardi, Evans, Adamson, Brousett as favourites. Doleman & Murphy probably getting the last 2 spots albeit battling with Way/Busby & Murphy of Ireland.

TMO's - Gauzin is the only certainty for me. Jonker is the next favourite and then I think there's a battle between Pickerill & Cronin, MacNeice & Neville and 1 of Whitehouse & Foley. I don't think Hart or Terhegee are in the running (personally, I think 4 isn't enough and would like to see at least 1 more). If they do go with 4, then Gauzin, Jonker, MacNeice & Cronin are my picks.

Absolutely won't see a list of 16 refs, I'd eat my hat!!
If anything, the AR & TMO list would increase

Our usual encounter with Jaco Peyper!

Peyper, Reynal and O'Keefe, Oh Dear!

No issue with any appointments for the England games. Still say a number of people are overly critical of Peyper which I just don't find to be the case personally. He's a solid excellent referee in my mind.

Pearce and Carley are still ahead of Dickson internationally, I think all 4 will go along with Ridley as AR and maybe Foley as TMO (although other nations may well be considered first on TMO front)

Great to see the tournament back again in what for me is extremely intriguing one just before the World Cup.

After what has been a trying time for the sport in general with the changes in head coaches, the mess that the RFU have made with the tackle height, issues with the FFR arrests and of course the events within the Welsh and Scottish Unions recently, I’m sure that everyone involved hopes that the tournament produces some great rugby on the field away from the issues away from the pitch.

Also worth noting that Netflix will be filming during the tournament. It will be great to see how this pans out!

Thought I’d do another review during this tournament, so here goes:

MD1
Some great matches this weekend on paper what a huge match to kick things off. Wales v Ireland generally is a cracker  with the return of Gatland will add extra spice to this fixture.
Of course the eagerly anticipated Calcutta match. I for one will be really keen to see what Borthwick’s regime will bring.
Let’s not forget how Italy will fair in this tournament with a huge game against the French who were the last team to win back to back grand slams (1997/8).

Wales v Ireland: Karl Dickson
So, as mentioned earlier, a bad week for the WRU and unfortunately it continued as they were poor against the best team in the world who dominated the Welsh in the first half.
A slightly better performance in the second but no-where near good enough and Warren really has his work cut out (I fear for Wales).
The Irish needed a big win and they showed at times just why they are the team to beat and have a huge game v France next weekend.
I thought it was an interesting appointment by WR to hand Karl Dickson the opening match. For me, this shows the faith they have with him. In a nutshell, if he performed well today, for me he’s a shoe-in for France as referee.
Overall, I have to say I was impressed with him. In recent times he has become more assured. Today, I would say that this was a solid performance. He was clear and concise. Good co-operation with his assistants and TMO throughout. The yellow card whist some may feel is harsh, in this day and age, I didn’t see any other option.
There were some arguments for a card to Porter which would be supportable.
I think he will be pleased with his performance, quietly confident he will make the middle for France 23.

England v Scotland: Paul Williams
With the Scots gaining the wins in recent years, England under a new era needed to produce the goods.
This for me was match of the weekend. What a great game to watch. Both teams going hammer and tong which really made for a great spectacle. Just what the 6 Nations wanted. A shame that there was a loser.
It also showed that Borthwick (like Gatland) has a bit to do before France. Congrats to the Scots they needed a big start and got just that - they for me on their day can match any team (almost like the French of a few years ago).
I seem to remember the last time Williams refereed this match, we were treated to an absolute cracker of a match. It also highlighted just how good an official the Kiwi is.
Paul had come under fire recently especially how he handled the RC match getting absolutely battered by the South African press. WR took him out of the spotlight during the Autumn internationals with some low key appointments using him in the WC qualification tournament.
I have to say that I thought the Kiwi contributed to the match and it was refreshing to see zero cards and a very low penalty count. He read the game well and got involved when needed. Can’t really argue with any of the big calls tbh.
He (and WR) needed this and returned to his excellent form during this encounter He seems to be at his very best on the Calcutta games - well done! (if only he could get this every year!!).

France v Italy: Matt Carley
This for me was going to be an intriguing match with Italy now starting to compete. The grand slam winners also needed to start the tournament well and confidently as they have huge away games in Ireland and England.
And to be fair it was another great game! What a terrific ending, and boy did the French know they were in a real battle!
I do like what Crowley is trying to do with the Azzuri, it’s great to see that they can really compete with the other 5 nations and they will highlight the Welsh, Scots and English as matches they could certainly produce a win. 
The French looked really good in places (helped by Italian errors in the first 20 mins particularly). Their discipline however cost them today and they will need to resolve this against the Irish.
The second English referee this weekend with Matt Carley in control. He’s really established himself as a top referee, today was no different. A polished performance with clear communication with the players.
The big call was for collapsing the scrum by Ollivon who rightfully received a YC. The debate really - was it a penalty try? For me, I thought there was cover however, we know Carley as a disciplinarian and he was having none of it, a supportable decision.
Probably the toughest game to referee from this round of matches and overall he handled it very well indeed.

So happy to have international rugby back on, just when it was needed.
WR will be very pleased with the performances of all 3 officials who surely now have cemented their place in the middle for the World Cup.

Next weekend hope for more the same!

The Dublin encounter should be a cracker with arguably the two best teams in the world facing each other and the best referee rugby has to offer.

Scotland will be favourites going into the match against the Welsh, with the all-Irish team lead by Andy Brace, this will be very interesting!

Can England return to winning ways against the Italians in what will be a really tough encounter?
The other question will be - can James Doleman do enough to make the middle for France?

Can't wait!!