The FFR and LNR have announced that Romain Poite and Mathieu Raynal are to head up the FFR’s new Professional Referee department.
In the last year, the French Rugby Federation (FFR) and the National Rugby League (LNR – owners of the Top 14 and ProD2) collaborated to create a Professional Refereeing Performance Plan, including a multi-million Euro investment package to support match officials.
Poite (pic on left) and Raynal (pic right) begin work on Monday 1 July and will work on a daily basis with match officials in the programme, as well as the LNR and the Clubs to strengthen the quality and performance of refereeing in France.
Romain Poite will lead lead the Technical Unit after is career of nearly 400 professional matches including 72 tests. He retired in 2021 and has since been supporting various Top 14 clubs, finishing with Top 14 semi-finalists, Toulon this season.
Perpignan-born Mathieu Raynal, officiated in eight Guinness Men’s Six Nations, five Rugby Championships and two Men’s Rugby World Cups, including the 2023 edition on home soil in France. He retired from domestic officiating in June and referees his 50th and final international in the summer window when Chile host Scotland.
