Andrew Brace To Referee U20 World Cup Champions

Munster Rugby’s Andrew Brace will referee tonight’s World Rugby U20 Championships Pool A match between New Zealand and Georgia in the first day of the tournament at the AJ Bell Stadium, Manchester, ko 7.45pm.

Brace was selected as one of nine match referees for the Championships and is Ireland's only referee at the tournament.

Originally from Wales, the former Old Crescent scrum half took up refereeing with the Munster Association of Referees (M.A.R.), three years ago while also continuing his role with Munster Rugby as a Community Rugby Officer.

Brace refereed the U20 Six Nations games between England and Wales, and Scotland and England earlier this year.

He was also the man in the middle for a number of Pro12 fixtures, and refereed this year’s All Ireland League Division 1A Final between Clontarf and Cork Constitution.

The U20 Championships is viewed as an ideal environment to develop as both players and referees and it has been a stepping stone for a number of top international referees over the years.

Speaking of Andrew's progression, Dave McHugh IRFU Referee Performance Manager said "Andrew has moved quickly through the refereeing ranks, firstly in Munster, and then within the IRFU pathway system. He has grown over this season into an established Pro12 and EPCR referee and I wish him well for the tournament, in the full knowledge that he has prepared well.”

There is added Irish interest in the game as New Zealand and Georgia will be the Ireland U20's opponents in their next two games – they will face Wales this evening at 5.30pm at the Manchester City Academy Stadium at 5.30pm and will then New Zealand on Saturday and Georgia next Wednesday.

Click here: http://www.irishrugby.ie/referees/becoming_a_referee.php for more information on becoming a referee.

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