Wayne Barnes OBE, widely recognised as the world’s best Rugby Referee before he retired recently will be the guest speaker at the Marlborough Rugby Sporting Dinner to be held at The Town Hall on Friday 11 April.
Not just regarded as the best, Wayne Barnes refereed more International matches than any other ref (over 100) before he retired. But not just Internationals – he has overseen two hundred and seventy three English Premiership games (ten of which were finals), and of the Internationals he’s officiated at seventeen Six Nation tournaments and taken charge of twenty seven Rugby World Cup matches across five tournaments, more than any other referee. Fittingly his last match was the most recent Rugby World Cup Final in 2023.
Away from the pitch he’s a barrister. A practising criminal barrister since 2003, a Partner at globally renowned law firm Squire Patton Boggs in London. And plenty more, working with sporting organisations and governing bodies both here and around the world. But he’ll be here at the Marlborough Rugby Sporting Dinner on 11 April.
Many of stories to tell, and to be entertained (and enthralled?) and eyes opened, come listen to him at The Town Hall on Friday 11 April. Tickets are £80.00. E-mail 1871@mrfc.co.uk or call 07712 132969 to reserve.