4 Aug 2012

Jutge takes over IRB role

7:32 pm on 4 August 2012

The former French international rugby referee Joël Jutge has been appointed the IRB High Performance Match Official Manager, succeeding Paddy O'Brien in the key position.

New Zealand's O'Brien is to oversee the development of Sevens match officials ahead of the sport's Olympic debut in 2016.

46-year-old Jutge took charge of 35 Tests between 1996 and 2007 before retiring with a knee injury and later becoming referee manager for the French Rugby Federation.