Six Nations referee set to confirm shock retirement from professional rugby
Yesterday at 02:35 PM
Shockwaves hit the rugby world tonight as leading Irish referee Chris Busby reportedly plans to retire from professional rugby.
Join the RUCK's WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
The Ulsterman, hailed as a rising star in international officiating, is set to walk away from the game, according to reports from The 42.
Six Nations Snub?
Busby is currently listed as an assistant referee for two upcoming Six Nations fixtures. However, it now seems unlikely that he will fulfill those roles, leaving fans and officials stunned.
A Pattern of Disrespect?
While Busby's retirement will come as a major surprise to many, insiders suggest that his fellow officials aren't shocked. A growing sense of frustration over the lack of support and respect for referees has been brewing, and Busby's decision may highlight deeper issues within the game.
The Hansen Factor
Busby's departure follows the controversy sparked by Mack Hansen after Connacht's URC loss to Leinster on December 21. Hansen publicly blasted Busby and his team for what he perceived as bias, calling out their officiating in a heated post-match rant.
Hansen faced a disciplinary hearing yesterday, resulting in a three-match ban that leaves him eligible for Ireland's Six Nations opener.
The Tipping Point
While personal reasons are believed to have played a major role in Busby's decision, sources claim the Hansen saga was the final straw. With tensions rising and criticism mounting, the officiating community may now face more scrutiny than ever.
Editors picks:
- Five Rugby Stars Who Seriously Flopped in 2024
- England coach confirms new captain, the 'time is right for a change'
- Stuart Hogg was back in court today for yet another sentencing
- Fans worry as England flanker Sam Underhill stood down from rugby once again
- Bryan Habana didn't hesitate when naming his toughest rugby opponent
2025 Six Nations:
France v Wales
Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Friday, 31 January, 2025
- Referee: Paul Williams (NZR)
- Assistant Referees: Chris Busby (IRFU), Jordan Way (RA)
- TMO: Brett Cronan (RA)
- FPRO: Damon Murphy (RA)
Scotland v Italy
Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Saturday, 1 February, 2025
- Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU)
- Assistant Referees: Luke Pearce (RFU), Damian Schneider (UAR)
- TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU)
- FPRO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)
Ireland v England
Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Saturday, 1 February, 2025
- Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR)
- Assistant Referees: James Doleman (NZR), Hollie Davidson (SRU)
- TMO: Glenn Newman (NZR)
- FPRO: Richard Kelly (NZR)
Italy v Wales
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Saturday, 8 February, 2025
- Referee: Matthew Carley (RFU)
- Assistant Referees: Paul Williams (NZR), Sam Grove-White (SRU)
- TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
- FPRO: Glenn Newman (NZR)
England v France
Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
Saturday, 8 February, 2025
- Referee: Nika Amashukeli (GRU)
- Assistant Referees: Andrea Piardi (FIR), Damian Schneider (UAR)
- TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)
- FPRO: Marius Jonker (SARU)
Scotland v Ireland
Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Sunday, 9 February, 2025
- Referee: James Doleman (NZR)
- Assistant Referees: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR), Pierre Brousset (FFR)
- TMO: Richard Kelly (NZR)
- FPRO: Andrew Jackson (RFU)
Wales v Ireland
Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Saturday, 22 February, 2025
- Referee: Christophe Ridley (RFU)
- Assistant Referees: Nika Amashukeli (GRU), Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)
- TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU)
- FPRO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)
England v Scotland
Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
Saturday, 22 February, 2025
- Referee: Pierre Brousset (FFR)
- Assistant Referees: Andrew Brace (IRFU), Luc Ramos (FFR)
- TMO: Tual Trainini (FFR)
- FPRO: Quinton Immelman (SARU)
Italy v France
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Sunday, 23 February, 2025
- Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU)
- Assistant Referees: Chris Busby (IRFU), Craig Evans (WRU)
- TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
- FPRO: Mike Adamson (SRU)
Ireland v France
Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Saturday, 8 March, 2025
- Referee: Angus Gardner (RA)
- Assistant Referees: Matthew Carley (RFU), Christophe Ridley (RFU)
- TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU)
- FPRO: Andrew Jackson (RFU)
Scotland v Wales
Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Saturday, 8 March, 2025
- Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR)
- Assistant Referees: Nic Berry (RA), Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)
- TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
- FPRO: Tual Trainini (FFR)
England v Italy
Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
Sunday, 9 March, 2025
- Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)
- Assistant Referees: Craig Evans (WRU), Luc Ramos (FFR)
- TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU)
- FPRO: Mike Adamson (SRU)
Italy v Ireland
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Saturday, 15 March, 2025
- Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU)
- Assistant Referees: Angus Gardner (RA), Morné Ferreira (SARU)
- TMO: Andrew Jackson (RFU)
- FPRO: Tual Trainini (FFR)
Wales v England
Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Saturday, 15 March, 2025
- Referee: Nic Berry (RA)
- Assistant Referees: Nika Amashukeli (GRU), Hollie Davidson (SRU)
- TMO: Mike Adamson (SRU)
- FPRO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
France v Scotland
Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Saturday, 15 March, 2025
- Referee: Matthew Carley (RFU)
- Assistant Referees: Karl Dickson (RFU), Eoghan Cross (IRFU)
- TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)
- FPRO: Ian Tempest (RFU)
Quiz: Name these 10 retro British & Irish Lions rugby players
Rugby history runs deep, and the British & Irish Lions have produced some of the most iconic players to ever grace the pitch. But can you spot a Lions legend from a lineup?
Test your knowledge with this quiz! For each question, we'll give you three possible answers—only one is correct.
Think you've got what it takes to ace this retro challenge? Let's find out!
EDITORS PICKS:
- Can you name every member of the 2017 British and Irish Lions?
- QUIZ: Can you name these 10 England one-cap wonders…
- Can you name the top 10 Premiership point-scorers?
- Can you name every England Rugby captain of the professional era?
- Can You Name Every British & Irish Lions Captain Since 2001?
The post Six Nations referee set to confirm shock retirement from professional rugby appeared first on Ruck.
