Wayne Barnes OBE (born 20 April 1979) is a retired English international rugby union referee. He was a frequent referee in the English Premiership, and refereed games in the Heineken Cup and the European Challenge Cup.

Jan 17, 2025 · Former professional referee Wayne Barnes has plunged the Rugby Football Union (RFU) into further crisis with a damning letter to referees, outlining the exact issues behind the SGM crisis. His strong statement comes after the embarrassing Special General Meeting (SGM) incidents earlier this month ...

Dec 31, 2024 · Wayne Barnes, one of rugby’s most respected referees, has announced his retirement from officiating following the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Join the RUCK’s WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.

Rugby union referee, barrister, Forester. Contact: [email protected] Tw: @WayneBarnesRef YouTube: https://bit.ly/3ly45Le #ThrowTheBook

Jan 20, 2025 · On Friday 3rd January, the secretary of the Rugby Football Referees Union (‘RFRU’), sent a resolution to clubs across the country and accused ‘Council Members [of] either being silent or trying to stifle good governance and democracy by actively briefing against it.’

Nov 2, 2023 · Wayne Barnes has announced that he has hung up his whistle as a match official in order to be closer to his family and pursue new ventures. The record-breaking referee took charge of his 111th Test match in the Rugby World Cup final …

Nov 7, 2023 · The match, won by South Africa, was a record 27th Rugby World Cup match as referee for Barnes. It was also his sixth match in the middle at France 2023, equalling the record he set at RWC 2019 when he took charge of New Zealand’s defeat of Wales in …

Nov 3, 2023 · New Zealand Rugby have paid tribute to Wayne Barnes after the referee announced his retirement this week just days after officiating the Rugby World Cup final.

Jun 24, 2024 · Former elite referee Wayne Barnes speaks to Planet Rugby's Alex Spink about his ongoing fight against online trolls, insisting "things are changing".

The match, won by South Africa, was a record 27th Rugby World Cup match as referee for Barnes. It was also his sixth match in the middle at France 2023, equalling the record he set at RWC 2019 when he took charge of New Zealand’s defeat of Wales in the bronze final in Tokyo.