Six Nations rookie referee to officiate one of Ireland's 2016 games

Wayne Barnes gets as many games to ref as the 31-year-old Australian referee.

Ireland's Six Nations clash with Italy, next March, will be officiated by Angus Gardner from the Australian Rugby Union. Gardner, who reffed his first match at the age of 15, took charge of a Test in 2011 and has been involved in five senior international fixtures. Ireland fans who take issue with English referee Barnes will be pleased to note that he will not call the big decisions in any of Ireland's five Six Nations matches.

For a leading referee, Barnes has been somewhat marginalised in the tournament. He takes charge of just one match [Wales v France] while running the lining for Scotland v France and, on the final weekend, Wales v Italy.

Ireland's Six Nations referees

Ireland v Wales, Feb 7: Jerome Garces (FRA) Ireland v France, Feb 13: Jaco Peyper (SA) Ireland v England, Feb 27: Romain Poite (FRA) Ireland v Italy, Mar 12: Angus Gardner (AUS) Ireland v Scotland, Mar 19: Pascal Gauzere (FRA)

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