T he RBS 6 Nations kicks off next weekend, so here’s a reminder of the match official appointments for the series.

The appointments were announced back in November and were made by the World Rugby Match Official Selection Committee following a detailed review of all performances during Rugby World Cup 2015.

The championship opener between France and Italy on Saturday 6 February in Paris will be refereed by JP Doyle of England (well, representing the RFU) with Welshman Nigel Owens taking charge of the last match on Saturday 19 March between France and England at the same venue.

Three referees – Jaco Peyper of South Africa, Glen Jackson of New Zealand and France’s Romain Poite – have received two appointments each with a total of 12 referees involved. Australian Angus Gardner will make his championship debut when he takes charge of the Ireland v Italy match in Dublin on 12 March. The 31-year-old from Sydney, who was an assistant referee at RWC 2015, refereed his first full international in 2011 and already has five tests under his belt. Gardner replaces New Zealander Chris Pollock in the top WR group. Pollock retired after the Rugby World Cup with 22 tests under his belt.

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