O’Brien appointed to International Rugby Board

The International Rugby Board (IRB) has appointed Paddy O’Brien as IRB Referee Manager.

O’Brien only recently retired from international refereeing and will retire from all active refereeing at the end of the Lions tour of New Zealand.

He will take up the post in Dublin from August 15, managing the administration of the elite panel referees selection and taking charge of the match officials at IRB events such as the Rugby World Cup, IRB Sevens, U19 and U21 World Championships and Women’s Rugby World Cup.