Rifleman Congratulated After International Rugby Appointment

The Army Rugby Union and the Army Rugby Union Referees Society have congratulated Rifleman Matt Duncan, of 3 RIFLES Battalion, on his recent selection as part of the team of match officials for the Scotland v New Zealand Autumn International held at Murrayfield last week.

Matt was selected to be the fifth official for the match, as part of a team consisting of referee Romain Poite, assistants John Lacey and Peter Fitzgibbon and fourth official James McPhail.  If any injuries occur to the three main officials during a game then the fourth and fifth officials could potentially be involved in running touch for the game.

Matt's responsibilities included controlling the substitutions for both teams and any yellow or red-carded players that could potentially be sent off as well as supervising the pitchside subs and other team officials such as medics and water carriers.

Highlights of the day included being in front of a crowd of 65,000 for the national anthems and New Zealand's Haka, access to both teams both during and after the game, the large bag of IRB referee kit that he earned by being selected as fifth official and access to the after-match function with players and officials of both unions.