Ok, so he’s not a nuclear physicist or a sewage worker, but the rugby referee still has one of the most demanding jobs in the world. A ref needs to be a qualified lawyer. He needs to be a social worker, sorting through a number of personalities on the pitch. He needs to be a fitness freak and an anger management counsellor and a policeman and a pitch inspector. The ref then needs to make split second interpretations of hundreds of laws over and over again during the course of 80 minutes.

At the end of it all, he needs the hide of a rhinoceros as the world becomes a critic.

As you may have seen in one of our recent blogs, players and coaches have strong views about the laws and how they are enforced.

We thought it would be valuable if we gave you a regular opportunity to converse with a top referee. The chance to hear them talk about key areas of the game from a ref’s perspective. And of course the opportunity for you to ask them questions and perhaps learn and seek clarity in key areas of the game.

So coming soon will be The Whistle Blower, a regular feature with a leading referee.

Start thinking about the questions you might like to ask our featured Whistle Blower.

And watch this space for further details on how you can get direct access to the views of a leading referee.