Irish touch judge replaced
A match official has been removed from Scotland’s RBS 6 Nations match with Italy following criticism from coach Matt Williams.
Simon McDowell, the touch judge from Ireland, was to have been the video referee for Saturday’s Murrayfield clash.
Now tournament officials have appointed Englishman Geoff Warren instead.
McDowell incurred the wrath of Williams on three previous occasions, with the latest denying Scotland a surprise victory in France in the opening game of the tournament.
Williams said: “This is the same guy who in Rome last year would not go to the video referee to check if Italy had grounded the ball properly. The try was awarded when it should not have been and Italy won because of it.
“This is the same guy who said Australia did not knock on at Hampden in the second Autumn test when they so obviously did. Seconds later, they scored a very important try.
“This is the same guy who has now signalled that Ally Hogg’s foot was in touch on his way to scoring what would have been a vital try for us – when he was clearly not out of play. I will remember that score until I am 85.
“We all make mistakes – but three times, same guy, same team. We have a problem.”
The International Rugby Board then took action to remove the possibility of another potential flashpoint.
An IRB spokesman explained: “The switch has been made in the best interests of the game. There should not be a focus of attention on match officials.”
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