Liam Heagney 16 Dec 2025 Ex-Irish referee boss calls for ‘slow’ tactic to be ‘banned post-haste’ and names ‘much needed emerging talent’ Ex-Irish referees boss Owen Doyle has called on World Rugby to quickly ban the use of a tactic that has slowed down the on-pitch action. Internationals
Colin Newboult 03 Dec 2025 Ex-Irish ref boss hits out at James Ryan’s ‘frankly nonsense’ ban after World Rugby rejected new proposal Ireland's James Ryan was banned for three weeks for a horror cleanout on Springboks hooker Malcolm Marx. Ireland
Jared Wright 25 Nov 2025 Ex-Irish ref boss: Springboks ‘pummelling’ of Ireland proves World Rugby needs to ‘urgently’ fix the game Ex-Irish ref boss Owen Doyle believes that the game needs urgent fixing after the Springboks 'pummeled' Ireland. South Africa
Jared Wright 18 Nov 2025 Ex-Irish ref boss weighs in on Franco Mostert’s red card as official slammed for ‘coaching’ players Owen Doyle has weighed on the performances of the weekend's referees. South Africa
Jared Wright 04 Nov 2025 Ex-Irish ref boss slams ‘clearly incorrect’ Tadhg Beirne red card exposes ‘wider’ World Rugby problem Owen Doyle has slammed the decision to red card Tadhg Beirne in the clash against the All Blacks. Ireland
Liam Heagney 28 Oct 2025 Ex-referee offers radical solution to limit ‘near obsession’ with pick and drives and wades into Jan-Hendrik Wessels controversy "In pick and drive scenarios, in line with common practice, Dan Sheehan leads with his head, which means his brain is taking repeated hits." Ireland
Jared Wright 21 Oct 2025 Scottish ref’s ‘race is run’ after Springbok escapes sanction for ‘testicle grabbing’ as ex-Irish referee blasts ‘farcical’ scenes Jan-Hendrik Wessels escaped sanction after being accused of grabbing a Connacht player in the nether region. United Rugby Championship
Lawrence Nolan 13 Aug 2025 What ex-ref boss expects to see in Rugby Championship after World Rugby ‘reminder’ as Irish legend volunteers ‘simple solution’ to ‘shambolic’ lineout All professional officials have been reminded by World Rugby that the tackle-ruck [the breakdown] laws must be refereed. Rugby Championship
Jared Wright 05 Aug 2025 Ex-ref blasts Wallabies and Lions as ‘nasty stuff surfaced’ during series finale The former referee slams the scenes in Sydney between the Wallabies and Lions. British and Irish Lions
Jared Wright 05 Aug 2025 Ex-ref boss slams South African official after ‘disgraceful’ Dan Sheehan ‘cheap shot’ is missed Owen Doyle has hit out at the performances of the match officials during the final game of the British and Irish Lions series. British and Irish Lions
Jared Wright 29 Jul 2025 Ex-ref likens ‘cynical’ Wallabies act on Lions star to ‘sickening’ Run It Straight ‘insanity’ Owen Doyle believes that Will Skelton deserved to be sin-binned in the second Test match. British and Irish Lions
Jared Wright 29 Jul 2025 Ex-ref boss’ ‘you can’t have it both ways’ argument after British and Irish Lions controversy Owen Doyle has waded into the debate over Jac Morgan's clear-out. British and Irish Lions
Lawrence Nolan 23 Jul 2025 British & Irish Lions star’s ‘get-out-of-jail card’ baffles ex-ref boss who slams ‘mystifying’ call Owen Doyle has slammed the officiating in the first Test between the Wallabies and Lions. British and Irish Lions
Lawrence Nolan 04 Jun 2025 ‘Poor performance’ of Mike Adamson bashed by ex-referee who claims ‘I struggle to see the benefit in continuing with this official’ after Sharks-Munster debacle Scottish referee Mike Adamson has been lambasted for his handling of last Saturday’s Sharks versus Munster quarter-final in the United Rugby Championship. United Rugby Championship
Jared Wright 20 May 2025 Ex-Irish ref calls for officials to stop ‘weak, meaningless’ warnings after England captain paid the ‘heaviest price imaginable’ Ex-referee Owen Doyle believes that players are not being sanctioned harshly enough for dissent. Munster
Lawrence Nolan 05 May 2025 Retired Irish referee explains why Pierre Brousset was WRONG not to award Leinster a last-gasp penalty try Owen Doyle has insisted that Leinster should have been awarded a game-winning penalty try in the final minute of their Champions Cup semi-final. Champions Cup
Lawrence Nolan 29 Apr 2025 Ex-referee delivers damning Sam Grove-White verdict, bigs up ‘impressive’ Hollie Davidson, blasts URC for Andrea Piardi ‘cop out’ Former Test referee Owen Doyle has delivered a withering put-down of Scottish whistler Sam Grove-White after the recent Stormers v Connacht match. United Rugby Championship
