AFTER BEING AT the centre of a controversial and hard-hitting Ireland-New Zealand clash last month, South African referee Jaco Peyper will be involved in only one of five Six Nations fixtures involving Joe Schmidt’s men.
World Rugby announced their referee appointments for the 2017 Championship today with Jerome Garces put in charge of Ireland’s final day clash with England at the Aviva Stadium.
Peyper, who was roundly criticised not only for his handling of tackles made by Sam Cane and Malakai Fekitoa last month, but also for his inaction over French physicality on Ireland’s trip to Paris this year, will be the assistant referee to Romaine Poite for Ireland’s opener away to Scotland.
The South African will take charge of one game in the Championship, when France host Scotland.
Poite, Garces and Wayne Barnes are the only three referees to be given a second fixture to take charge of, the Englishman holding the whistle for Ireland’s penultimate fixture away to Wales.
John Lacey (Scotland v Wales) is the sole IRFU referee in the Championship, though Irish-born JP Doyle (RFU) will take charge of Italy v Wales. The other Irish involvement among officials will Andrew Brace as assistant referee and TMO Peter Fitzgibbon.
Read the full list of Six Nations officials here>>>
