Ireland’s ref relief as IRB retain status quo

Referees for this season’s RBS 6 Nations championship have been told to carry on their emphasis on the International Rugby Board’s five main areas of concern outlined before the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

The IRB has appointed 10 referees, including Ireland’s George Clancy and Alain Rolland, to officiate at the 15 championship matches, starting on Saturday, February 4. Ireland captain Paul O’Connell was among the representatives for the competing teams who gathered in London on Tuesday evening to hear the governing body’s Referee Manager Paddy O’Brien say there would be no change in emphasis for the world’s top referees.

“It was interesting, it was nothing new and that’s the best part for us, I think,” O’Connell said yesterday.