England v Scotland Six Nations ref was accused of ‘being paid by England’ and sent abuse

International referee Andrew Brace is the man in the middle for the Calcutta Cup clash between England and Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday. Both teams are desperate for a vital Six Nations victory and the official will have plenty of eyes on him, especially after previous controversy involving the Red Roses.

The representative of the Irish Rugby Union was raised in Cardiff, Wales, but he represented Belgium in rugby and was a key player in their 2012 Emirates Cup of Nations victory. After putting up his boots, Brace became a referee in 2015 and officiated his first Test match two years later. In 2021, he officiated his first Six Nations match.

Although Brace officiated in the Rugby World Cup in 2023 as well, the controversy started with an England vs. France Autumn Nations Cup match in 2020.England won 22–19 thanks to a winning penalty kick from Owen Farrell, although the French squad was incensed that the game went into extra time due to a missed knock-on.

France head coach Fabien Galthie said that “the game was won by decisions not actions” and assistant Shaun “We’d like a bit of an explanation about the knock on in the last tackle which resulted in a try,” Edwards continued.

“The lead-up has a knock-on effect. We were a little let down since the TMO may have meddled in that judgment, even if the referees and touch judges are limited in their view.

Following the game, Brace and his officiating crew were the subject of nasty internet trolls who also threatened the referee and his family. After he said that he had been “paid” by England, he was removed from managing the European Champions Cup match between Toulouse and Exeter Chiefs for his personal well-being.