Get Newsletter

Rolland becomes new referees' boss

This is in succession to Joël Jutge of France who resigned to return to his old job, citing family commitments as his reason for resigning. Jutge, in turn, had taken over from Paddy O'Brien who had been the first in the post.

ADVERTISEMENT

Rolland is eminently suitable for the position, having played and refereed at international level. During his illustrious international career that started in 2001, Rolland refereed a total of 66 Tests, including two World Cup quarterfinals (2003 and 2007), one semifinal (2011) and the 2007 Final between England and South Africa in Paris.

A former scrumhalf who was capped three times as a player for his native Ireland, he also took charge of three European Cup Finals (in 2004, 2013 and 2014) while his final international was the 2014 Six Nations clash between Wales and France in Cardiff.

Since retiring as an active referee, Rolland has been working closely with the competitions and performance department of World Rugby as a consultant and, during the 2015 World Cup, assisted Tier Two teams in identifying ways to reduce unforced errors, successfully ensuring an improvement in those teams' on-field discipline and contributing to the most competitive World Cup ever.

He has also been involved in the training and development of television match officials coming through to the top end of the game.

"We are delighted to announce Alain's appointment to this important and challenging role. As a referee, he was consistently one of the best in the world for many years, showing a deep understanding of and empathy for the game.

"Since then, he has stayed involved and has worked as a consultant for World Rugby and a number of member unions, applying that knowledge and experience to coaching and developing the next crop of elite match officials.

ADVERTISEMENT

"As previously stated, Joël has done a great job in this role over the past four years and I am sure Alain will build on that progress as we continue to improve refereeing standards and consistency at the highest level," Chairman of the World Rugby match officials selection Panel, John Jeffrey said.

Rolland said he was looking forward to the opportunity.

"This is a hugely exciting opportunity to stay involved in our great game and I am looking forward to it immensely. It will be an honour and a privilege to work with the world’s best referees while also being involved in identifying and coaching the top younger match officials who will be the World Cup referees of the future," he said.

The 49-year-old former mortgage broker is the son of a French father and an Irish mother. He speaks French fluently.

ADVERTISEMENT

From World Rugby

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Write A Comment