On February 7, 2024, Pierre Brousset, a 37-year-old French referee, will officiate the Six Nations match between Wales and England at Twickenham. This event marks Brousset’s return to Allianz Stadium after his first Championship fixture there last year, where he handled the England versus Scotland match.
Brousset’s journey to this significant role was delayed due to injury. He was initially set to referee the Ireland versus Italy match in Dublin in February 2023 but had to withdraw at the last minute. Luke Pearce stepped in as his replacement.
The Controversial Last Match at Twickenham
In his debut Six Nations game, Brousset faced some controversy. The match, a tight contest that ended 16-15 in favor of England, saw Scotland complain about the placement of Finn Russell’s last-minute conversion kick. Following the match, Scotland’s head coach, Gregor Townsend, disclosed that the officials acknowledged their mistake in the placement, which could have influenced the outcome.
“I think we all knew that the try was scored further infield,” Townsend stated, expressing frustration over the situation. He emphasized the importance of referees making unbiased decisions without captain interference.
Brousset’s Path to Refereeing
Brousset’s journey into refereeing began at a young age. Originally a scrum-half in France’s lower leagues, he switched to officiating while still a teenager. By 2018, he had transitioned to a full-time referee. He became one of the youngest officials in the Top 14 and has built a wealth of experience, officiating in the Rugby Championship and the Autumn Nations Series.
Reflecting on his career choice, Brousset said, “I had the opportunity to take the referee’s exam by chance. I thought it might be interesting to know the laws properly.” His transition from playing to officiating opened doors to his aspiration of reaching the highest levels of rugby officiating.
Upcoming Match Details
Details for the England versus Wales match at Twickenham on February 7, 2024, are as follows:
- Referee: Pierre Brousset (FFR)
- Assistant Referee 1: Nic Berry (RA)
- Assistant Referee 2: Morné Ferreira (SARU)
Brousset’s officiating will be closely watched as he aims to deliver a fair and decisive match, addressing any controversies that may arise. His career trajectory serves as an inspiration for aspiring referees in the world of rugby.
