Wayne Barnes retired at the top of his game on Thursday after taking charge of a record 111 internationals, the last of which was last weekend’s World Cup final in Paris.
It was a fitting appointment after a 20-year career spanning five World Cups, 26 Six Nations matches, three European Cup finals, and 10 Premiership finals, and he produced a performance worthy of the accolade of the best referee in the world, despite an ultra-tight match which was a potential officiating minefield.
Barnes, 44, defused all the mines in a calm and controlled manner, and with unwavering focus he utilised his u...