Scotland vs Ireland referee is hated by former England boss Eddie Jones
Yesterday at 03:24 PM
James Doleman, the Scotland vs Ireland referee this weekend, is no stranger to controversy—especially when it comes to England.
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The Kiwi official, born in Tauranga on 25 April 1991, was once blasted by former England head coach Eddie Jones, who accused him of favouring Australia during their 2022 Test series.
Doleman didn't originally plan on a refereeing career. He studied at Otago University with ambitions of becoming a teacher but picked up the whistle while still a student in Dunedin. By 2020, he had gone full-time, officiating in Super Rugby and New Zealand's Mitre 10 Cup.
His international breakthrough came in 2021 when he took charge of Australia v France, and he made his Six Nations debut in 2023 for England v Italy. Speaking to SCMP about officiating in the tournament, he said:
Aside from the World Cup, the Six Nations is the pinnacle. Being involved in a tournament like that, with the history, coming from New Zealand, the fans up north make the Six Nations very special.”
James Doleman and England – a rocky relationship?
Doleman has crossed paths with England before, but not always to glowing reviews. His performance in the 2022 England-Australia series divided opinion—some praised his clarity, while others dismissed him as a "novice."
Eddie Jones, however, made his feelings crystal clear. The former England boss accused Doleman of actively helping the Wallabies, saying:
“That happens in every game I've seen. One team gets a red and the opposition gets evened up because they're nice blokes, referees.”
While Doleman has continued his rise in the refereeing ranks, his history with England—and particularly with Jones—adds an extra layer of intrigue ahead of his latest Six Nations assignment.
Round 2: 8-9 Feb
Italy vs Wales referee
Referee: Matthew Carley (Eng)
ARs: Paul Williams (NZ) & Sam Grove-White (Sco)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
FPRO: Glenn Newman (NZ)
England vs France referee
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Geo)
ARs: Andrea Piardi (Ita) & Damian Schneider (Arg)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)
FPRO: Marius Jonker (SA)
Scotland vs Ireland referee
Referee: James Doleman (NZ)
ARs: Ben O'Keeffe (NZ) & Pierre Brousset (Fra)
TMO: Richard Kelly (NZ)
FPRO: Andrew Jackson (Eng)
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10 best stadiums in Europe for atmosphere have been revealed and ranked
The ranking is done by considering the user ratings from websites like rugbygroundmap, Tripadvisor, and many more.
Here are the 10 best stadiums in Europe according to the atmosphere.
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#10. Twickenham Stadium – (England)
The home of England rugby, Twickenham is the largest stadium in the world devoted just to the sport of Rugby Union.
Boasting a capacity of well over 80,000, the views are good from most areas of the ground, with the steep stands meaning most supporters are incredibly close to the pitch.
#9. Welford Road – (Leicester Tigers)
With a capacity of 26,000, Welford Road is the largest purpose built rugby ground in England, and like Kingsholm, within walking distance of the local watering holes.
Housing arguably England's most partisan fans within it's tight confines, Tigers supporters create some amount of noise as their team enters the field.
With the capacity planned to reach 30,000 in the future, referees will have to become that bit braver before blowing the whistle against the home team.
#8. The Rec – (Bath)
A town team with an old school feel to it on a professional era. Especially cool for night games. Right in the middle of the town and the crowd feel right on top of you.
Year after year, from almost any vantage point in the ground, you spend your first ten minutes on arrival just gawping at the vista, not just the best view from any rugby ground in Britain but one of the most beautiful and beguiling city views full stop.
It was often with some reluctance that you turn your attention to the rugby although in fairness at various times in their distinguished history Bath have laid on rugby worthy of such a setting. When the two come together you are in rugby heaven.
#7. Murrayfield Stadium – (Scotland)
Stuart Hogg et al are renowned for their inconsistency on the road, but who wouldn't be with a home like Murrayfield?!
When England journey North of the border, this stadium reaches fever pitch, with its 67,130 capacity going wild for a sporting occasion to savour.
#6.Stade Felix Mayol – (Toulon)
Although many rugby fans resent the way in which Toulon conduct their business off the field, the atmosphe created in the build up to games in the Felix Mayol is envied throughout Europe.
Despite much of their success coming in recent years, the way in which Toulon supporters welcome their team as they enter the stadium has an old school feel.
While the Pilou Pilou chant sends fans into a frenzy before their team step foot onto the field.
#5. Kingsholm – (Gloucester)
One of the most legendary and feared rugby stadiums around, Kingsholm is a fortress for Danny Cipriani's Gloucester side as they look to once again challenge for the Premiership title.
Full of history, the infamous Shed boasts some of the most passionate supporters who create an intimidating atmosphere for opposition wingers.
Always packed to its 6,000 capacity on match days, the all-standing stronghold is referred to as Gloucester's "16th man". A trip to The Shed is surely a bucket list experience for all rugby fans.
#4. Thomond Park – (Munster)
Renowned for it’s imposing noise, Thomond Park is considered by some to be the best rugby stadium in the world
Rugby-loving Limerick is unsurprisingly a go-to destination for rugby. More than just a sport, mention rugby here and you'll draw out a kind of breathless enthusiasm and raw passion rarely seen elsewhere.
It's a game of the heart in Limerick, so don't miss going to watch one of the local clubs play, or the provincial team of Munster.
Their home ground Thomond Park is well-known for an electric atmosphere, courtesy of its jubilant and dedicated fans and their arsenal of anthems, and has previously been awarded the title of best rugby stadium in the world.
No matter if you're at the stadium or not, the atmosphere will stick with you wherever you go and the town is often 'painted red' in honour of the team's colours.
#3. Stade de France – (France)
The first of the international grounds on our list of the best stadiums in world rugby, the atmosphere in Stade de France mirrors their national team: boisterous and joyful when on the front foot, but quiet and frail when behind.
It has a capacity of 81,338 but the lack of bars in the locality isn't always appreciated by supporters.
#2. Stade Marcel Michelin – (Clermont)
Despite being a fairly small ground with a capacity of 19,022, when Clermont play, the stands are drenched in yellow, from the jerseys to the placards which supporters hold aloft when their side takes the field.
Visiting players have been known to feel they are not so much taking part in a rugby match as a gladiatorial contest.
This is a special place in rugby with a unique atmosphere that can’t be matched anywhere else at domestic level.
Embed from Getty Images#1. Principality Stadium – (Wales)
The home fans’ singing is so morale-boosting, it’s said to count for a try
Ask any rugby fan where to go for the best atmosphere, and you'll likely hear all about Cardiff and its Principality Stadium (formerly the Millennium Stadium).
Boasting an impressive capacity
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