World Rugby confirm referee change for Ireland’s Six Nations match
Referee Luke Pearce.
World Rugby have announced a match official change for the upcoming Six Nations fixture between Ireland and Italy.
Frenchman Pierre Brousset was set to officiate Sunday’s clash at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin but has been forced to withdraw due to injury.
Milestone for Luke Pearce
World Rugby confirmed that Brousset has sustained a calf injury and will be replaced by Luke Pearce, who is set to take charge of his 50th Test match.
The rest of the match officials team remains as announced as Pearce will be assisted by Frenchmen Mathieu Raynal and Luc Ramos with Eric Gauzins the TMO.
Pearce becomes just the third English official to reach the milestone of 50 Tests, following in the footsteps of Chris White and Wayne Barnes.
He made his international debut as a referee back in 2013 when he took charge of the match between Romania and Russia.
Since then, he has officiated at two Rugby World Cups (2019 and 2023), with 2024 being his sixth Six Nations campaign.
Ireland not getting carried away
Ireland head into the clash off the back of a resounding 38-17 victory over France in Marseille in the opening game of the Championship.
The tournament opener was billed by many as the title-decider but Ireland head coach Andy Farrell is not allowing his team to get ahead of themselves.
“We want to be in it (title contention) at the last week, but internally, we’re hungry to be as good as we possibly can be,” he said.
“In reality it’s one win, it’s one win out of one and we’ve got to be on to the next one.
“It (the championship) is not won or lost, but it’s about building on this.
“We tend to be pretty harsh on our performances when we’ve won because we’re able to do that and make some good points, so hopefully we’re able to get better because of that.
“But the feelgood factor of a victory like that… it’s a special victory, it definitely is, and it’s there to be celebrated, that’s for sure.”
Six Nations round two fixtures and referees
Scotland v France
Date: Saturday, February 10
Venue: Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Kick-off: 14:15 GMT
Referee: Nic Berry (RA)
Assistant Referees: Nika Amashukeli (GRU), Jordan Way (RA)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRFU)
England v Wales
Date: Saturday, February 10
Venue: Twickenham, London
Kick-off: 16:45 GMT
Referee: James Doleman (NZR)
Assistant Referees: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR), Hollie Davidson (SRU)
TMO: Brendon Pickerill (NZR)
Ireland v Italy
Date: Sunday, February 11
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Kick-off: 15:00 GMT
Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU)
Assistant Referees: Mathieu Raynal (FFR), Luc Ramos (FFR)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR