Thanks for the excellent report RCG. Didn’t see the game but good to hear it was entertaining and that the English team played their part.
When Wayne Barnes was promoted to international level all those years ago I must say I had reservations but thankfully unfounded ones as he has become one of the top 3 refs in the World in recent years along with Owens and Garces. If England don’t reach the WC Final then he must be a good bet for the final, though the other 2 will challenge him closely ( I think both will be too old in 2023 and Owens could do an Andre Watson and Ref back to back finals).
I know Barnes is backing out at the top due to business and family priorities but part of me feels we won’t have seen the last of him and he will be back in some refereeing admin or training role at some stage in the future as he has too much to offer. Watch this space!