Top Irish referee to retire

Veteran Irish referee Alan Lewis will hang up his whistle at the end of the season.

Veteran Irish referee Alan Lewis will hang up his whistle at the end of the season.

The 46-year-old who refereed in 45 major internationals said the timing was right for him to retire.

“Now just feels like the right time to finish up,” he told irishrugby.ie

“It's a natural progression and one I have been discussing with my family and Owen Doyle in the IRFU over the past few months.”

“I feel very privileged and honoured to have been involved at this level for so long. I have enjoyed every minute hugely.”

Lewis, a former Irish international cricketer, was not chosen to officiate at the Rugby World Cup which takes place in New Zealand later this year.

He admitted that this did play a part in his decision to quit.

“Of course there's a twinge of disappointment (at not being selected for the World Cup), I wouldn't be human if there wasn't,” he said.

“The main thing now is to wish all match officials great enjoyment and success in New Zealand.”

Owen Doyle, IRFU Director of Referees, paid tribute to Lewis and said it was a pleasure to work with him.

“What an extraordinary and successful career Alan has had and his record speaks for itself,” said Doyle.

“He has always brought so much to the game, both on and off the pitch. His dedication and his enthusiasm have been unsurpassed. I am really now looking forward to continuing to work with him, albeit in another capacity.

“His expertise and communication skills will help enormously in developing the next generation of elite referees.”

Lewis refereed a Rugby World Cup quarter-final and matches across the Six Nations Championship and the Tri-Nations competitions.

He has refereed in 83 European ties. Among those were 71 matches in the Heineken Cup, including three semi-finals and one final in 2007.