Referees Corner – Issue 5 – Ulster – 2025/26

Welcome to this week’s referee’s corner for this game between Leinster and Ulster. Today’s match referee is Andrew Brace. Andrew was born in Cardiff, Wales. He started playing rugby union in Cardiff when he was 12. Between 2010 and 2017 Brace worked as a community rugby officer for Munster Rugby. He previously worked as a community development officer for Cardiff Blues. Brace continued working as a community rugby officer until 2017 when, together with George Clancy, John Lacey and Joy Neville he was one of seven referees offered professional contracts by the IRFU. He is still contracted with Eoghan Cross and Peter Martin. 

He also previously played for Old Crescent. While playing for Old Crescent, Brace was contacted by an agent to play for the Belgium national team. Brace qualified to represent Belgium through his father’s family. He subsequently helped Belgium win the 2012 Emirates Cup of Nations. He also played for Belgium in the 2012–14 European Nations Cup First Division. This is his 12th time refereeing Leinster. He is supported by Andrew Fogarty and Tomas O’Sullivan. Olly Hodges is the TMO with Paul Haycock deep in the bunker. We wish him and his team well today. 

Outside of refereeing Andrew is the ambassador for Down Syndrome Limerick. He was appointed in October. Andrew said, “Rugby has taught me that teamwork, respect, and inclusion are what make the game great. The same is true in life. I am honoured to support Down Syndrome Limerick, and I’m excited to help champion their incredible work, starting with ringing in the New Year together.” Well done Andrew.

We had a busy November across our five regions with area meetings and central referee education from the IRFU. The focus this month was on Continuity and Contest and Safety and Control. Continuity and Contest is one of the primary principles of the game. The contest for possession of the ball is one of Rugby’s key features. These contests occur throughout the Game and in a number of different forms – in contact, in general play and when play is restarted at scrums, lineouts and kick offs. The contests are balanced in such a way as to reward superior skill displayed in the preceding action. For example, a team forced to kick for touch because of its inability to maintain the play, is denied the throw-in to the lineout. Similarly, the team knocking the ball on or passing the ball forward is denied the throw-in at the subsequent scrum. The advantage then must always lie with the team throwing the ball in, although, here again, it is important that these areas of play can be fairly contested, and refereed. 

It is the aim of the team in possession to maintain continuity by denying the opposition the ball and, by skillful means, to advance and score points. Failure to do this will mean the surrendering of possession to the opposition either as a result of shortcomings on the part of the team in possession or because of the quality of the opposition defence. Contest and continuity, profit and loss. As one team attempts to maintain continuity of possession, the opposing team strives to contest for possession. This provides the essential balance between continuity of play and continuity of possession. This balance of contestability and continuity applies to both set piece and general play. The referee aims to ensure fairness in this contest and aims to enable continuity for the game. 

Similarly match officials use their knowledge and skills to observe the game situation in front of them, analyse the players’ actions, and decide if play should continue or be stopped. In the officiating process, the referee has to observe play, analyse what is going on and decide what action is required. Match officials follow three priorities providing equal opportunities for both teams.

Safety

Match officials ensure the players’ safety and ensure that the players follow the principles of the Game. Match officials might need to stop the game to ensure player safety.

Continuity

Through communication, match officials will be able to prevent stoppages and increase the entertainment value of Rugby by allowing players to maintain the continuity.

Communication

To communicate in order to explain their decisions to the players and spectators and to help them to understand their decision.

There was plenty of great learning across both sessions for our referees.

Want to get involved? 

Referees provide a vital function in servicing all levels of the game. Refereeing is also a fantastic hobby and is increasingly becoming a genuine alternative to playing the game.

Whether you have aspirations to referee at the highest level or to referee locally, there is a place for you. There are excellent support structures in place to develop referees and a thriving social aspect too.

Feel free to make contact with the Leinster Rugby Referees at brendan.conroy@leinsterrugby.ie  If you are interested in becoming a referee get in contact with us through our Facebook, our website www.leinsterrugbyreferees.ie or through X @leinsterreferee