Lacey & Brace Officiating In Rugby Championship

Munster’s Johnny Lacey and Andy Brace will officiate in some of the biggest games in the calendar, set to officiate in in this year’s Rugby Championship.

The pair capped off a brilliant season last year by pairing up for the Challenge Cup final and Lacey will be in the middle in Canberra as the Wallabies face Argentina.

The former Munster player will also be on the line in Perth as the Aussies take on South Africa, further adding to his experience as he shoots for his second World Cup in 2019.

Andrew Brace will be Assistant Referee 2 for the first match of the tournament between Australia and New Zealand in Sydney. He will also be on the line for the return match in Dunedin a week later, ahead of the pair grappling once more for the Bledisloe Cup.

World Rugby Match Officials Selection Committee Chairman Anthony Buchanan said: “We’re working hard with Rugby World Cup 2019 in mind and The Rugby Championship gives us a further opportunity to review match officials under the pressure and intensity of international test match rugby.

“Along with officials that performed to the highest level during the Lions series and the June internationals, we now have new faces coming into the panel. Our ultimate goal is to arrive in Japan in 2019 with an established group of top-class, in-form officials with the necessary experience to perform at the highest level.

“Our focus continues to be clear and consistent decision-making and the highest standards of physical conditioning.”