England vs Italy referee was pulled from duty after Twickenham controversy
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Steve Borthwick's men are on the hunt for a third straight Six Nations win as they gear up to face Italy at the Allianz Stadium this weekend.
After grinding out hard-fought victories over France and Scotland, England sit third in the table—four points behind leaders Ireland and just one adrift of Les Bleus.
History is firmly on their side, with the Red Rose boasting a perfect record against the Azzurri. Meanwhile, Italy are still licking their wounds from a brutal 24-73 defeat at the hands of France last time out.
That said, Italy have shown fight in 2024, pushing England close and stunning Wales with a 22-15 win in Rome. Could they finally break their England hoodoo?
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Who is Andrew Brace?
Born and raised in Cardiff, Andrew Brace has had one of rugby's most fascinating journeys. A former Munster community officer, the 36-year-old now represents the Irish Rugby Union—but his international playing career is what really turns heads.
Brace qualified for Belgium through his father's family and even helped them lift the 2012 Emirates Cup of Nations. Injuries forced him to hang up his boots early, but he wasted no time transitioning into refereeing.
After making his PRO14 debut in 2015, he quickly climbed the ranks—officiating at the Six Nations U20s, stepping up to Test rugby in 2017, and taking charge at the Rugby World Cup.
Last year, he was the man in the middle for England's nail-biting win over Samoa, as well as Italy v Namibia and Australia v Fiji.
But his history with Twickenham? That's where things get spicy.
Brace's Twickenham controversy
England fans may remember Brace's involvement in their Autumn Nations Cup final win over France in 2020—but for all the wrong reasons.
Eddie Jones' side edged out a dramatic 22-19 victory in extra time, with Owen Farrell slotting the decisive penalty. However, French players and coaches were left fuming after Brace and his officiating team missed a knock-on in the build-up to Luke Cowan-Dickie's crucial try.
Fabien Galthié didn't hold back post-match, claiming “the game was won by decisions, not actions.” Shaun Edwards was equally frustrated, questioning why the TMO hadn't intervened.
Unfortunately, the backlash didn't stop on the pitch.
Online abuse and shocking threats
Brace found himself in the firing line of an online hate campaign, with trolls bombarding him with threats and vile accusations. The abuse was so extreme that he was removed from refereeing duties for a Champions Cup match between Toulouse and Exeter.
Speaking to RugbyPass, Brace revealed the disturbing messages he and his family received.
“I had over a thousand messages on Instagram. Someone made a parody account just to abuse me. The first tweet they saw was about my dad's obituary, and they jumped on it.”
“Some people asked how much I'd been paid to get England over the line. My sister received messages saying none of my family should ever come to France again. Someone even hoped I'd die of Covid.”
It was a dark chapter for the official, but he has since bounced back, continuing to take charge of top-tier matches. Now, he returns to Twickenham—where past controversy lingers in the background.
England v Italy officials
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ire)
Assistant referees: Craig Evans (Wal) & Luc Ramos (Fra)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SA)
FPRO: Mike Adamson (Sco)
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Bookies Predict the Lions XV to Face Australia – Two England Players Start
Bookmakers have released their predictions for the British & Irish Lions’ starting XV to face Australia in the 2025 tour, highlighting a squad dominated by Irish talent and featuring only one English starter.
The anticipated lineup, along with the latest odds for each position, is as follows:
Forwards
1. Andrew Porter (Ireland) – 1/2
A converted loosehead prop who started his career as a tighthead, Porter is a cornerstone of Ireland's pack with his powerful scrummaging and relentless work rate around the pitch.
2. Dan Sheehan (Ireland) – 3/10
One of the most dynamic hookers in world rugby, Sheehan offers explosive ball-carrying ability and strong set-piece play. He has become a key figure in Ireland's recent successes.
3. Tadhg Furlong (Ireland) – 8/13
Arguably the best tighthead prop in the game, Furlong is known for his scrummaging dominance and remarkable skills in open play, often moving like a back despite his size.
4. Maro Itoje (England) – 1/5
The only Englishman in the starting XV, Itoje is a world-class lock with exceptional athleticism, lineout expertise, and a knack for disrupting opposition attacks. A Lions veteran, he'll be vital for the tour.
5. Joe McCarthy (Ireland) – 1/2
A rising star in Irish rugby, McCarthy has made a huge impact with his physicality and work rate in Leinster's second row. He's quickly becoming a dominant force in European rugby.
6. Josh van der Flier (Ireland) – 1/3
The 2022 World Player of the Year, Van der Flier is an outstanding openside flanker with relentless tackling, breakdown skills, and an ability to pop up in crucial moments.
7. Ben Earl (England) – 4/9
England's standout forward in recent tournaments, Earl's dynamic ball-carrying, high work rate, and speed make him a perfect fit for the Lions' back row.
8. Caelan Doris (Ireland) – 1/4
One of the best No.8s in world rugby, Doris combines intelligence, strength, and leadership. His ball-carrying ability and defensive prowess make him an essential selection.
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