Top international referee Luke Pearce has opened up on dealing with some of the game’s biggest stars, particularly praising two of rugby’s modern day greats, Antoine Dupont and Siya Kolisi.

The Englishman was speaking after taking charge of the Sharks’ clash against Toulouse where the two players captained their respective sides.

Kolisi led the hosts while Dupont skippered Les Rouge et Noir as the visitors came out on top in the Investec Champions Cup clash.

Dupont comes out on top

Ugo Mola’s men managed to secure a 20-8 triumph for their third successive victory in the competition.

It was effectively billed as a match between the Springboks and France given the number of current international stars on show.

Those countries have not faced each other since the Rugby World Cup quarter-final, a game eventual champions South Africa won 29-28.

That could have therefore led to a fraught encounter last weekend, but Pearce had nothing but praise for Kolisi and Dupont in how they conducted themselves.

“We all knew the potential baggage and carry on from the World Cup but you’re dealing with world-class superstars who are so professional and very, very nice people,” he told The Good, The Bad and The Rugby.

“In my experience so far, last weekend they were probably the nicest captains to ever work with, just so polite and pleasant and world-class at what they do.

“If only we could have more of that in every line of work.”

Pearce is one of the few English-speaking referees to take it upon himself to learn French so that he can converse with those from across the Channel but, according to Dupont, his language skills need improving.

“It summed it up when Antoine came up to me to ask me to repeat something in English because my French was terrible!” he quipped.

Pearce was also asked about dealing with players who are less well behaved before going on to discuss one of the finest captains he dealt with, Test record cap holder Alun Wyn Jones.

‘Brilliance’ of Alun Wyn Jones

“The one area I struggle with is when we cross competitiveness between being mannered and being a good person,” he added.

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“There are lots of players who were ultra-competitive and unbelievable at what they do, but perhaps didn’t have that balance in terms of knowing how to work with another person who is of a different character.

“That’s one of the abilities and one of the skills of players. The skill of the referee is trying to know how different people react, how people work and what gets people ticking in terms of communication.

“Alun Wyn Jones was a brilliant captain, one of the scariest individuals. He’d leave you alone during the game, but you knew at some point he would be towering over you with his arms behind his back.

“You knew exactly that when he spoke, you made sure you listened because he probably had a fair point. It’s knowing those kind of players that can do that, rather than the players who are maybe more volatile and unmanageable to a certain extent.”