A new generation of referees is emerging for this URC, a competition which has grown immensely in stature and now heads towards the semi-finals and grand final
Beno Obano is shown the red card and is sent off by referee Christophe Ridley after a challenge on Juarno Augustus during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final match between Northampton Saints and Bath Rugby. Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images
The results of Boston University’s post-mortem examination on the brains of collision sports athletes, including rugby, are frightening. Rugby must heed them, and take whatever measures are necessary to eliminate “tackles” such as Obano’s, no matter how unpalatable to those who see no foul play in such incidents. There is no option.
Ulster's David McCann speaks to referee Andrew Brace during Leinster vs Ulster at the Aviva Stadium. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho Davidson is now, no doubt, the best of the Scots, and let’s hope she soon gets a good batch of European appointments. If she comes through these well, then a shot at aReferee Hollie Davidson at the scrum during Munster vs Ospreys. Photograph: Ben Brady/Inpho
South Africa, once a veritable powerhouse of refereeing, are now somewhat lost without Jaco Peyper. His Achilles’s tendon eventually got the better of him, forcing his retirement. There are no ready replacements.
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