BREAKING: World Rugby announces referee change for Six Nations
BREAKING: An ongoing injury has ruled out referee Pierre Brousset for this Sunday’s Six Nations encounter between Ireland and Italy in Dublin.
This means Luke Pearce will take charge of his 50th test match as he steps in to replace Brousset.
It is the second Six Nations appointment the French referee will miss. He was originally named as an assistant referee for last Saturday’s round one clash between Italy and England in Rome.
A calf injury ruled him out of taking up that appointment and he was replaced on the touchline by Nika Amashukeli. That injury hasn’t healed sufficiently since then to enable Brousset to referee in Ireland.
A World Rugby statement read: “Owing to an ongoing calf injury, Pierre Brousset (France) has withdrawn from the Ireland vs Italy Guinness men’s Six Nations match in Dublin on Sunday.
“Brousset will be replaced as referee by Luke Pearce (England), who will be taking charge of his 50th Test. The rest of the match officials team remain as announced.”