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Wayne Barnes and Mathieu Raynal on the officiating crew when Ireland beat New Zealand in 2018. Dan Sheridan/INPHO

Wayne Barnes named referee for Ireland's Six Nations 2021 opener

Mathieu Raynal will take charge of two Ireland games, including the final round clash with England.

VETERAN REFEREE WAYNE Barnes has been installed as the match official for Ireland’s Six Nations 2021 opener away to Wales on 7 February.

The match will be Barnes’ 94th Test as a referee, with his 95th to come three weeks later when he takes the whistle for France v Scotland in Paris.

World Rugby unveiled their official appointments for the Six Nations this afternoon. The IRFU’s only match referee in the tournament will be Andrew Brace for the round four meeting between Italy and Wales, when he will have Frank Murphy as his TMO.

Joy Neville is named TMO for England’s first two matches against Scotland and Italy, while Brace and Murphy will run the line as assistant referees to Pascal Gauzere during Wales v England in round three.

England’s Luke Pearce will officiate Ireland’s return to the Aviva Stadium for the Valentine’s Day clash with France.

Romain Poite will be in charge when Ireland face World Cup pool rivals Scotland in round 4, his compatriot Mathieu Raynal will hold the whistle for Ireland’s matches in round three and five – away to Italy and at home to England.

View the full list of appointments here>>>

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    Mute Pat Comer
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    Dec 19th 2022, 11:46 AM

    Definitely should not be considered. If the team hadn’t qualified we’d never hear from her. She showed no interest before now having represented England all through under age up to U23. She was in two senior England panels but wasn’t selected. Now is the time to say no thanks. Stick with the players who got us to the finals.

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    Mute Michael Murray
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    Dec 19th 2022, 11:56 AM

    @Pat Comer: ….bang on the money for me. Give them the option to be part of the set up post World Cup, but no way for WC. The potential for damage to squad morale and causing friction is mind blowing.

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    Mute EnKy
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    Dec 19th 2022, 11:41 AM

    Two Irish parents? Played Gaelic football? Can someone explain why it has taken until now for Mannion to consider coming on board to play for us? I note that she is 27…..

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    Mute Declan Clancy
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    Dec 19th 2022, 11:51 AM

    @EnKy: Because like Grealish she really wants to play for England. Now she realises thats unlikely to happen and wants to jump ship to us

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    Mute TheCraftyCulchie
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    Dec 19th 2022, 1:11 PM

    She is part of the Irish diaspora with a clear and strong connection to this country. I don’t see the problem, we don’t have to pick her for the WC. Nationality is complex particularly for first generation emigrant children. I have many cousins in the US who feel both American and Irish

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    Mute Damien Mitchell
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    Dec 20th 2022, 9:51 AM

    @TheCraftyCulchie: if she felt Irish she would be with us before now I have cousins in England some are English and that’s what they regard themselves but I have also cousins who feel completely Irish hold Irish passports and would never consider themselves English despite their accents. It depends how you are brought up. Comparing Americans to Britain is very different.

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