NICK CAIN
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The noxious abuse of referees is one of the most urgent issues confronting rugby union, and World Rugby and national governing bodies in particular.
It was highlighted most recently when Wayne Barnes, the Englishman who set a new record of 101 Tests after refereeing the Autumn series cliffhanger in which Six Nations Grand Slam champions France, edged out world champions South Africa, in Marseille, was faced with a barrage of online bile, including his wife, Polly, being threatened with sexual violence.
The threats appeared immediately after Ras...