O’Brien may have refereed his last match

Jim Cook, Auckland

O’Brien reckons he has only a 20% chance of refereeing a provincial game during the upcoming Lions tour.

This weekend he is travelling to visit All Black muscle therapist George Duncan, who is O’Brien’s last hope, if he is to referee another international game before his retirement.

Meanwhile, Former British & Irish Lions manager and England prop Fran Cotton has resigned from his duties with the RFU.

Cotton’s resignation, as an International Rugby Board representative and IRB rep on the RFU Council, takes effect from the end of this season.

The announcement comes just a few days after Martyn Thomas’ election as RFU management board chairman following his victory over Jack Rowell.

“It has been a privilege to work with the RFU in a variety of capacities over the last nine years,” said Cotton.

“However, I have found it increasingly difficult to balance my business and RFU-related interests in the last year, and so regrettably I have had to make this decision.”