Wayne Barnes: ‘An Irish journalist described me as a deranged Eton headmaster with a ferret down his pants’
The World Cup final referee on how many of the perceptions of him are well wide of the mark
Wayne Barnes
Matt Williams: Rugby is in a bad state but our leadership plays dumb
The spectacle is suffering, and referees are being attacked by morons, because of a broken system
Wayne Barnes calls for action against trolls for ‘vile’ abuse
Retired official says he and his family received threats on social media following World Cup final
Rugby World Cup final referee Wayne Barnes retires from officiating
Wayne Barnes's last match after 17-year international career was Saturday’s World Cup final
Ref off: Reviewing Ireland’s record with officials before the clash with Scotland
Nic Berry will take charge of Saturday’s crucial Rugby World Cup showdown between Ireland and Scotland
Leinster v La Rochelle: We’re in for a final of epic proportions, but who will referee it?
Tony Spreadbury, the European referee manager, will be scratching his head
Owen Doyle: It’s important to remember that sometimes teams deserve to play with fewer players
An incident in Australia suggested the new red card protocol will not take off if it leads to referees ignoring a key option
Ireland v France: Rob Herring hit a blatant red card but officials opted to back down again
Incidents such as Uini Atonio’s ‘tackle’ must be punished properly if rugby is to become a safer sport
Owen Doyle: Coaches and World Rugby must address blight spoiling the game
Coaches need to address players’ dangerous tackling and clearing-out techniques and World Rugby must ruthlessly apply meaningful suspensions
Owen Doyle: Referees damned if they do, damned if they don’t on red cards
Three finals is a huge achievement for Barnes and he is standing the test of time
Continuation of foul play yet another shocking advert for rugby
Surely now coaches must be held to account, and what are World Rugby doing?
La Rochelle set up another French showdown in Champions Cup quarter-finals
Outhalf Ihaia West scores 16 points as Ronan O’Gara’s side win tie comfortably
Owen Doyle: Unacceptable face of rugby was on full show over the weekend
Gibson-Park should’ve seen red as too many brutal collisions went far beyond legal limits
‘We’re playing bloody Toulouse in Toulouse’ - McFarland not focused on bigger haul
Ulster’s lead heading into the second leg could have been more if not for Ntamack
Ulster leave Toulouse with six point win and mixed feelings
Toulouse were obliged to play for virtually 70 minutes with 14 men in utterly wild contest
Owen Doyle: Wayne Barnes’ loud continuous communication is over the top
Scotland captain Stuart Hogg could learn a lot about leadership from the Italians
Ireland wrap up Triple Crown with bonus-point win over Scotland
Conor Murray try completes comfortable victory to secure first silverware won on home soil since 2004
Six Nations: Ireland on cusp of winning first trophy on home soil in 18 years
Prospect of Triple Crown will keep players’ focus on Scotland and not on Paris outcome
Tolu Latu cited after backchat to Wayne Barnes
English referee heard explaining that Wallaby hooker swore at him after a penalty
Owen Doyle: Adamson altered the outcome in Castres’ controversial defeat
Forward pass, legitimate jackal and clear lack of evidence all ignored in the end game
Connacht looking to add to historic Champions Cup progress with win in Paris
Toulouse’s Covid forfeit against Cardiff puts Andy Friend’s side into last 16 ahead of Stade game
Dakuwaqa handed three week ban for Van der Flier tackle
The Montpellier backrow was sent off during side’s record defeat to Leinster at RDS
Owen Doyle: Champions Cup format needs a rethink
Montpellier’s collapse a sign of how quickly teams can lose interest in redesigned pools
Leinster blast past poor Montpellier on long-awaited return
Irish province notches 13 tries in impressive display in first fixture in over a month
Leinster determined to set the record straight at Montpellier’s expense
Cullen’s side will be highly motivated by controversial walkover which still rankles
An early test for Jack Crowley as physical battle expected in France
A tricky assignment against such familiar and gritty opponents awaits Munster
Owen Doyle: Weekend Tests show that referees should reach for their cards sooner
Matches emphasise need to punish serial offenders and retain control of game
Plenty for Warren Gatland to mull as Lions prepare for Springboks test
Tourists look set to spend the rest of summer in Cape Town as the Test series looms large
Owen Doyle: Henshaw can count himself lucky his Lions dream is still a reality
Hard to see why the laws were not applied fully to his tackle on Robert Baloucoune
Lions squads have proved a moveable feast down the years
John O'Sullivan: Recent history shows that squad will number in the 40s by the end
Owen Doyle: IRFU should be encouraging representation for Irish referees
Officials get a very raw deal that no player would accept
Gerry Thornley: Eight great Leinster wins in Europe that trump Exeter comeback
The Sandy Park win is a long way down any list of great victories in the competition
Owen Doyle: Mixed bag from Wayne Barnes as he continues race for referee gold
Toulouse simply better than Munster while Amashukeli caught the eye in London
‘I’m going to miss this place’: CJ Stander bows out at Munster
‘We gave it our best shot, really stuck it to them. We were just unlucky with a few calls’
Van Graan proud of his Munster team after Toulouse defeat
Defeat leaves them a decade without success in either the Pro14 or Europe
Gerry Thornley: 2021 Six Nations was distorted by over-influence of officials
An increase in away wins made the tournament a success despite the absence of fans
Owen Doyle: France may well benefit in the long run from Scotland defeat
The arrogance that has been wafting over the French set-up needed to be cleared
Owen Doyle: Bundee Aki is good but really needs to change technique
‘Matey’ Luke Pearce and ‘Barnesy’ Wayne Barnes were utterly irritating in Paris
Owen Doyle: Scotland will feel aggrieved at Poite’s breakdown penalties
Brace and Neville leave with heads held high after Twickenham thriller
Wales secure bonus-point against Italy after just 30 minutes
Italy’s 31st Six Nations defeat in a row saw them offer little resistance at Stadio Olimpico
Peter O’Mahony to miss Ireland’s next three games following red card
Flanker will only be eligible to return for closing encounter against England in Dublin
Owen Doyle: Peter O’Mahony’s act of thuggery deserves tough sanction
Cardiff game left such a bad taste after stirring encounters on Saturday
Gerry Thornley: France may learn it’s a bad week to run into this Ireland team
Despite the defeat to Wales there was much to admire in the Irish performance in Cardiff
Ronan O’Gara: Ireland would have beaten Wales by 10 points with 15 players
La Rochelle coach admits it is difficult to know how to tackle breakdown issues
Peter O’Mahony likely to miss France and Italy games after sending-off
Six Nations: Flanker facing disciplinary hearing over foul during defeat to Wales
Five things we learned after round one of the Six Nations
Johnny Watterson on the talking points after the first weekend of Six Nations rugby
Wales 21 Ireland 16: How the Irish players rated
John O’Sullivan hands out the marks after Ireland’s latest defeat in Cardiff
Wales 21 Ireland 16: 10 minutes that changed the game
Ten first half minutes which proved crucial for both Wales and Ireland in Cardiff
Owen Doyle: Not everyone is on board for red card and dangerous play rules
Players’ duty of care for opponents seems to have completely gone out the window
Veteran Johnny Sexton still motivated by biggest challenges
Ireland captain and outhalf relishes the pressure of his 12th Six Nations campaign
Connacht come within a score of massive upset against Racing 92
Irish province had an opportunity to take full points with the last play of the game
Owen Doyle: Rugby will have a high price to pay if it doesn’t tackle head-high hits
Out of three red-card offences in Sydney only one received ultimate sanction
Wales finally pull clear of Italy’s grip in another lacklustre display
Wayne Pivac’s side ran three tries in the final 22 minutes in Llanelli
Owen Doyle: Ireland suffered from officiating of the breakdown
Joy Neville makes important calls in Wales as other officials struggle over the weekend
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