Big rugby weekend

Last night was a sort of kick off to a long week end of rugby. I was at an event for referees at the OSA building. Two of the Churchill Cup referees (Simon McDowell, IRFU and Andrew McPherson, SRU.) gave talks and the other tournament officials plus Tony Spreadbury and Ed Morrison were also there. McPherson is living proof that as one gets older, referees get younger. He is Scotland's only full time professional referee. He is 26. McDowell gave a great presentation on being a TMO and on how much harder it is than it looks. He cited the time he had to adjudicate on a French try that, if given (which it was), would deprive Ireland of the 6N championship. Apparently in the following couple of hours he got several death threats by text message! All in all, good fun and so to the pub for a couple of pints.

Tomorrow I am coaching the Nomads U16s at Crusaders in the morning then driving up to Fletcher's with lemur_catta to see England Saxons vs Ireland 'A' and Canada vs Argentina 'A". Sunday, I have a 90 mile drive to Peterborough to referee Peterborough II vs Barrie II.

Anti- Macattar

ljg061308, originally uploaded by jgilks@rogers.com.