Referees Corner – Issue14 – 2025/26 – Lions – URC QF

Welcome to another edition of Referees Corner. We were deeply saddened to hear about the passing of our good friend and former President David MacDonald on May 18th. On behalf of the President, the Executive, past Presidents and the complete membership (past and present) of ARLB / Leinster Rugby Referees, we extend our sincere and deepest condolences to the MacDonald family on the passing of David. David’s steadfast dedication to rugby refereeing is unmistakable, particularly through his leadership as President of ARLB / Leinster Rugby Referees and his many other roles. 

His efforts have left an enduring legacy, significantly shaping, and strengthening the Leinster rugby refereeing community. Through his tireless work and commitment, David helped influence the way the game is organised and officiated and he directly supported countless referees throughout their careers. David’s intellect, knowledge, integrity, and passion for rugby was unmatched, and his absence will be felt deeply by all who had the privilege of working with him. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with the MacDonald family during this difficult time. David’s legacy in rugby refereeing in Leinster and beyond will continue to inspire many, and his contributions to the game will not be forgotten. His name and legacy will live on in the MacDonald/De Lacy Educator Award. May he Rest in Peace.. 

Today’s match official for this Quarter Final clash between Leinster and the Fidelity Securedrive Lions is Sam Grove-White. He is assisted by Hollie Davisson and Ru Campbell of the SRU. Mike Adamson is the TMO. Padraic Reidy is the 4th official, Glenn Sheridan is the 5th official. Jonny Hollywood will be today’s Stats Official and Barry O’Keeffe the TimeKeeper.

Sam started refereeing following an ankle injury whilst playing in university. He has had a steady progression through his refereeing career. He has refereed in the Japanese Top League in 2015 as part of a Scottish Rugby Union initiative to create links with Scotland and Japan rugby and he is also a regular  in the Scottish Premiership as well as the URC. Sam was picked as a referee for the World Rugby Sevens Series of 2016-17 season. This continued through to the 2018-19 season. Grove-White has refereed in the Under 20 Six Nations and also refereed in the 2018 Commonwealth Games. This is his seventh time refereeing Leinster. 

We recently extended our congratulations to our referee Robbie Jenkinson. Robbie has been rewarded for his excellent refereeing performances over the last couple of years with an IRFU Professional Referee Contract. There were some other significant highlights for the Leinster Rugby Referees, in the recent national panel announcements. 

• Jack MacNeice and Max Weston have been promoted to High Performance Development where they join Andrew Cole.
• Euan O’Riordan and Seán Kearns have been promoted from the NPDG process to the National Panel.
• Kenny Coldrick, Ruaidhrí O’Hanlon, Emma Murphy and Katie Jane Wickham will be involved in the NPDG process next season.

We wish them all every success.

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.