Cheating B**tards

Eyebrows raised as Saturday's assistant referee Van der Westhuizen joins England training

England coach Eddie Jones has enlisted some unusual help ahead of Saturday's pivotal Six Nations finale against Ireland in the form of match assistant referee Marius van der Westhuizen.

In news that is sure to raise eyebrows in the Ireland camp, the South African took charge of England's training session at their Pennyhill Park base according to the London Times. It is reported that Ireland were unaware of his presence in Surrey.

It is not unusual for teams to enlist the help of international officials ahead of big Test matches. Irish referee John Lacey has been a regular attendee at Ireland’s sessions during this international window and held the whistle during Tuesday’s session at Carton House.

However, World Rugby's rules stipulate that a referee cannot assist a team he will referee during that international window or tournament, but there are no such regulations governing assistant referees.

Van der Westhuizen was part of the three man team who took charge of England's defeat against France last weekend, along with referee Jaco Peyper and Angus Gardner.

The trio will take charge of Saturday's clash with Australian Gardner swapping places with Peyper to taking charge at Twickenham having held a flag last weekend in Paris.

The stakes are high for both sides, with Ireland needing a win to secure a third Grand Slamin their history and England looking to get back to winning ways after two defeats on the road - their first back-to-back losses of Jones' era.

England’s discipline has been a major concern in the tournament to date, with Jones’ side conceding 15 penalties at the Stade de France.

The breakdown has been a particular area of concern for the faltering English side, who were penalised nine times at the ruck area.

According to the Times, World Rugby have no concerns about England gaining a competitive advantage from the presence of the assistant referee at their session.

The IRFU had no comment on the appearance of van der Westhuizen at England's training when contacted by independent.ie. World Rugby and Six Nations have been contacted for comment.

Any team can get Refs in to help, they haven’t done anything wrong so all good.

Exactly.

Coach Gatland has used coaches this way for years.

If I remember correctly, he asked one French referee to take care of a training session and all was made clear to the Wales lads.

The referee - when next he handled a Wales game - didn't referee as he had though ...

Perplexed, Coach Gatland had a meeting with the same ref before the next game he was due to handle.

It didn't end well.

Please understand that life is not a bed of roses for referees.

Some good referees get called in to the New Zealand camp.

World Rugby needs to change the rules so that once appointed for a match or series no match officials are allowed to help the teams involved and that includes correspondence. Also any meetings with coaches etc unless representatives of both teams are present.

Fair enough. Seems like pretty straight forward stuff really........ it’s not like this was sorted on the weekend.

He's had the boot
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/ ... d-training
Our Nige taking over

He should never have been allowed in the first place. World Rugby are a joke.

Marius van der Westhuizen will be replaced by Nigel Owens after attending an England training camp?

It seems that our favourite ref will replace the Bok guy.

Ho, hum.

Poetic justice.
Eddie's cunning plan backfires.

Much the same said in the Beeb report. I.e. according to existing rules he should not have been involved with either of the teams prior to the match.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/43419900

England should be fined and the ref suspended

Eddie Jones must be immediately sacked. And slapped around a bit by a drunken Scotsman, for good measure.

Has he applied to be the Japanese Head Coach?

Been there and done that, and the reserve backs coach will soon coach Cardiff..

He'll be a pleasant change, Sir.