IRELAND WILL BE refereed by Jerome Garcès for a second game in succession when he takes charge of the home Six Nations clash against Wales on 7 February.
Garcès presided over Ireland’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final defeat to Argentina last month as well as the narrow Pool D win over Italy.
The opening weekend in Dublin will be his only refereeing appointment in the Six Nations this year.
The Frenchman is in good company as both of the most recent World Cup final referees, Craig Joubert and Nigel Owens, have also been named to officiate a solitary game.
Only three refs - Glen Jackson, Jaco Peyper and Romain Poite – will take charge of two games in the 15-match tournament, with the latter two named to referee Ireland’s trip to Paris and London respectively.
Referees for Ireland’s Six Nations matches:
Ireland’s home meeting with Italy on 12 March will be the tournament debut of 31-year-old Angus Gardiner. The Australian has refereed only five Test matches since 2011, but did act as assistant referee during the Rugby World Cup.
Joubert’s first international appointment since World Rugby openly criticised a late error made by the South African in Australia’s narrow quarter-final win over Scotland will bring him back to Twickenham for the visit of Wales.
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Owens’ first Test after the World Cup final be come in the final match of the Championship when France and England will be hoping that the trophy is not already beyond them.
