The Ref's Call

'A genuine presence on the field, Owen refereed with the perfect balance of respect and authority' Keith Wood

'Highly respected with vast experience and knowledge, Owen Doyle contributed hugely to the world of rugby refereeing, both on and off the field' Nigel Owens

'Owen Doyle was a highly respected referee who officiated matches with passion, commitment, knowledge and, occasionally, some great humour' Will Carling

With a foreword by Donal Lenihan.

Owen Doyle is an Irish Times columnist and former Irish rugby Test match referee. Here in his frank, revealing and often humorous memoir, The Ref's Call, he gives a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the high-pressured world of international rugby.

From the processes involved in becoming a referee, to officiating in the Five Nations, touring Internationals and a World Cup, Doyle takes us through the most memorable matches of his career and how, following his retirement, he became instrumental in coaching the most successful generation of referees in the IRFU's history.

Covering over forty years of rugby, and written in his own inimitable style, Doyle looks at the challenges facing modern rugby, particularly the issues of concussion and dementia, to give a fascinating insight into the great game, told from a unique perspective.

Owen Doyle is a former International Rugby Union Referee, retiring in 1994. He was Director of Referees IRFU from 1995 to 2015 and Elite Referee Coach from 2015 to 2017. Now a rugby columnist with the Irish Times, Owen Doyle lives in Dublin.

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