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Prop turned ref to debut as NFL talkback system gets first run out
By Kim Ekin
Former Gloucester prop Nick Wood will make his top-flight refereeing debut when Sale Sharks host Newcastle Falcons in the Premiership Rugby Cup this weekend.
Wood was a Premiership regular for more than a decade, appearing 278 times for Gloucester over a 13-year span from 2003 to 2016.
The 38-year-old will become the latest professional player to take up the whistle, following in the footsteps of Gallagher Premiership Rugby official Karl Dickson, as well as the likes of Glen Jackson and Nic Berry.
After losing to Leicester Tigers last weekend, the Sharks will be seeking to win their first Premiership Rugby Cup match, while Newcastle will be looking to build on their close win against Wasps in the previous round.
Assistant referees John Meredith and Neil Chivers will aid Wood, with Andy Blyth serving as the citing officer for the match, which begins at 7.45 p.m.
Also on Friday night, London Irish host Saracens at the Brentford Community Stadium, just two weeks on from their thrilling 34-34 Gallagher Premiership Rugby draw.
Both teams will be hoping for their second Premiership Rugby Cup triumph after Saracens overcame Harlequins and London Irish defeated Northampton Saints last weekend.
The match will also see a technological debut - a new NFL-style referee talkback system that will allow fans to hear what the referee tells the players during the game.
The London derby will be officiated by Craig Maxwell-Keys, who will be assisted by Jamie Leahy and George Selwood, as well as citing officer Chris Catling and TMO David Rose.
Maxwell-Keys will be in the hot seat as the referee to be broadcast using the talkback system, which will use the PA address system at the new Brentford Community Stadium.
The pilot scheme will continue in other Premiership Rugby Cup matches this season, allowing referees to explain crucial TMO decisions directly to fans in the stands.
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Latest Comments
No just because the personal is much better than last year. I've shown no antagonism of Crusader players, you must be confusing me with someone else.
I have critized Razor for picking players he knows occasionally?
I said I'm not surprised because of his style, he's more a grinder player like Cane, not going to show up on peoples radar until you see how bad the other choices are. This year players like Clarke have been on fire and just show a bit more.
Are you one of those posters continually taking it easy on Razor because he doesn't have his Crusaders stars available? Do you think the rugby world is going to up to him suddenly once Mo'unga returns? lol
Go to commentsJohn you have been beating this drum for a couple of years, if you get proven right get back to us.
The last recent and decent Aussie coach was Ewen McKenzie, he was undermined and forced out by a couple of slimy Aussie players who were given a free pass when they should have been disciplined.
So our history since McQueen is very checkered and it seems to make little difference whether we have an Aussie coach or a Kiwi coach. The players have been entitled for a long time and we had to hit bottom to get them back into reality and to stop thinking it is all about them.
Cheika was an OK coach but his 'go our and destroy the opposition' tactic worked for a while and then didn't.
Please give me a list of great Aussie coaches that I have missed.
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