Referees Corner – Issue10 – 2025/26 – Edinburgh

Welcome to another edition of Referees Corner. A special welcome also to the refereeing team with Luke Pearce, in the middle. Luke joined the Devon Referee Society in 2005 at the age of 16. He previously played rugby at junior level, being part of the Exeter Saracens Rugby Club and captained a Welsh Exiles Under-16’s team. In September 2005, Luke refereed his first game, Crediton Seconds against Newton Abbot Thirds. From there, Luke quickly went through the referee system, becoming the youngest referee to be promoted to the RFU National panel in 2009. In 2014, Luke made his first Six Nations Championship appearance, acting as Assistant Referee for Steve Walsh in the meeting between Italy and Scotland. In the 2018 mid-year rugby union internationals, he took charge of his first tier 1 international of New Zealand  vs  France.  

This is his 12th time refereeing Leinster, his last being Bayonne v Leinster earlier this season in round 2. His first time was Ulster v Leinster in 2014. Luke is joined by Hamish Smales and Joe James of the RFU with Andrew Jackson in the TMO box. Dermot Blake is the 4th Official, Brendan Conroy is the 5th Official, Jonny Hollywood is the statistics official and Gordon Condell is the TK.

We had our last area meetings of the season over the last couple of weeks, which included our regional elections of officials for the coming season. They were all well attended. As we approach the business end of the season, our presenters brought us through a number of different game, scrum planning and management scenarios. A lot of great round table discussions occurred and everyone went home with some new tools in their pocket for stronger game management. 

As the season winds down, it is a great time to think about next season and perhaps joining the ranks of the Leinster Rugby Referees. 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.

There are a number of benefits to becoming a referee:

• Refereeing is a great way to stay involved in the game. You are in the thick of the action on the pitch.
• Fitness is a key element to refereeing and provides our referees with a great incentive to maintain their fitness.
• Education is an ongoing part of being a referee.
• There are monthly area meetings to keep all referees up to date with all aspects of the law.
• This means our referees are constantly learning and up to date with the latest law changes and interpretations.
• Whatever level you aspire to referee at there is a place for you – refereeing underage games in your area, or adult games throughout your province.
• For referees who perform at a consistently high level there are opportunities to referee nationally in the Energia All Ireland League and beyond.
• There is an excellent social aspect to refereeing. You will meet a broad range of new people and forge new friendships.
• You will gain membership to your provincial association/society. Benefits of this include access to tickets.
• Once you become a full member of your provincial association/society you will have access to all the referee gear.
• This is exclusive to members and the gear is supplied by our sponsors Castore.

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,  through X @leinsterreferee or instagram @leinsterreferees1.