Wayne Barnes

About

Criminal barrister and retired international rugby union referee known for refereeing matches at the Rugby World Cup, the Six Nations, the Rugby Championship, and the Pacific Nations Cup competitions. He also refereed multiple English Premiership matches, as well as games in the European Challenge Cup and the Heineken Cup. He authored the autobiographical publication Throwing the Book, which was published on November 9, 2023 - 1 week after he officially announced his retirement from refereeing.

Before Fame

He began his refereeing career when he was just 15 years old, after joining Gloucester & District Referees. He later transferred to the Norfolk Referees Society. He earned his law degree in 2000 from the University of East Anglia and became a professional referee 5 years later.

Trivia

In 2001, he broke the Panel of National Referees' record for youngest referee ever appointed. He also became the first English officiator in history to ref a match at Croke Park, Ireland, when he oversaw the 2008 Six Nations Championship.

Family Life

He and his wife Polly are the parents of two children named Juno and Beau.

Associated With

He and Nigel Owens were two of the 12 total refs that were chosen to oversee the 2015 Rugby World Cup.