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'Leaving with a very heavy heart' - EPCR poach Tony Spreadbury from RFU
By PA
English rugby referees’ chief Tony Spreadbury is to join European Professional Club Rugby as head of match officials.
His new post, based in Switzerland, will see him work with the tournament organisers of the Heineken Champions Cup and European Challenge Cup from December, EPCR said.
He is currently head of professional game match officials at the Rugby Football Union.
Spreadbury refereed 44 Test matches, including officiating at two Rugby World Cups, and was one of rugby union’s first fully-professional referees.
In a statement released by the RFU, the organisation’s director of performance rugby Conor O’Shea said: “On behalf of everyone at the RFU, I would like to thank ‘Spreaders’ for his incredible contribution to the organisation and to refereeing over the last 20 years.
“He leaves us with the best group of match officials in world rugby, and obviously with our very best wishes for the future and as he continues his journey in rugby.”
And Spreadbury added: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the RFU over the last 20 years – initially as a referee, then as a referee coach and finally in my current role as head of the professional game match officials team.
“I really am leaving with a very heavy heart as I have met some brilliant people, not just colleagues, but also good friends. However, I am looking forward to the challenge ahead with EPCR.”
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Latest Comments
Yep NZ national u85 team is touring there atm I think (or just has).
Go to commentsWhat are they gonna do with the 500k and what does that achieve? They could dump the whole side and pick amateurs and save 10million, but what is that going to achieve?
The problem it feels like to me is I didn't hear what Gatland is going to do in order to win the 6N next year. How is he helping the problem. It just sounds like they're expecting miracles and for Gatland to turn around the national teams results, but what good is that when you're not fixing any of the problems and you'll just be back where you were when Gatland and the old players leave?
I think you are totally wrong in your stance. Wales abosolutely need to spend that 500k by investing in their future, it just doesn't sound like theyre giving Gatland any more resources to do it with. They're not using that 500k very well.
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