Carter Named IRB Player 2012

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New Zealand fly-half Dan Carter has been named International Rugby Board's player of the year for a second time.

The All Blacks, who were unbeaten in 20 Tests before Saturday's loss to England, were named team of the year.

New Zealand's Steve Hansen was also named the coach of the year award.

England's Owen Farrell was on the four-man shortlist for the player of the year award along with New Zealand's three-time winner Richie McCaw and France's Frederic Michalak.

Carter, 30, has 94 caps for New Zealand but missed the All Blacks' triumphant World Cup victory in 2011 with a serious groin injury.

IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: "Dan Carter has bounced back from the disappointment of missing the majority of the World Cup through injury to show what a truly magnificent player he is and a wonderful ambassador for our sport.

"New Zealand have again been the stand out team of the year with their 20-match unbeaten run and thoroughly deserve the IRB team of the year award along with Steve Hansen as IRB coach of the year for his feats in keeping a rugby World Cup winning-team winning."

The winner was announced at the Rugby World Cup 2015 pool allocation draw in London.

The IRB awards panel was made up of former players Will Greenwood, Gavin Hastings, Raphael Ibanez, Francois Pienaar, Agustin Pichot, Scott Quinnell, Tana Umaga, Paul Wallace and John Eales.

IRB player of the year

2001: Keith Wood (Ireland)

2002: Fabien Galthie (France)

2003: Jonny Wilkinson (England)

2004: Schalk Burger (South Africa)

2005: Dan Carter (New Zealand)

2006: Richie McCaw (New Zealand)

2007: Bryan Habana (South Africa)

2008: Shane Williams (Wales)

2009: Richie McCaw (New Zealand)

2010: Richie McCaw (New Zealand)

2011: Thierry Dusautoir (France)

2012: Dan Carter (New Zealand)

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Beaumont Appointed RFU Chairman

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Former England captain Bill Beaumont has been appointed chairman of the Rugby Football Union, with Paul Murphy taking over as president.

Beaumont will be charged with ensuring England's preparations for hosting the 2015 World Cup run smoothly.

"The RFU staff and thousands of volunteers face three years of hard work ahead," said Beaumont.

"The legacy of England hosting the rugby World Cup in 2015 will be enormous."

Beaumont, 60, who played his entire club career for Fylde won 34 caps between 1975 and 1982, captaining England to a first Grand Slam in 23 years in 1980, when he also led the British and Irish Lions in South Africa.

He has played a major role in the leadership of the domestic and global game since the end of his playing career.

"I was fortunate enough to captain my country and everything since then has been about putting something back into a game that is important to so many people," added Beaumont.

Murphy, who had been serving as acting chairman of the RFU since Martyn Thomas's resignation in July last year , said: "We've made enormous strides on and off the pitch in the last six months and I'm sure Bill will lead us forward to realise our full potential over the next few years."

TMO Trials and Crouch, Touch, Set

Rugby union bosses are to trial the use of Television Match Officials (TMO) ruling on incidents within the field of play, including foul play.

The International Rugby Board (IRB) has approved the global trials of amendments to five laws.

The trials extend the powers of the TMO to rule on incidents within the field of play leading to the scoring of a try and foul play on the pitch.

Previously the TMO could only be called upon to rule on the act of scoring.

The changes will be tested at an elite level and could become standard by the time of the November internationals.

The trial will also see teams restricted to five seconds to use the ball at the back of a ruck after being instructed to do so by the referee.

Players will be able to take a quick throw-in from anywhere off the pitch between the line of touch and their own goal-line, while a knock-on into touch will allow a side to choose a line-out rather than a standard scrum.

Conversions must also be taken within 90 seconds of a try and sides can have a further line-out on their own throw if there has been a technical offence at a line-out.

IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset said: "The next step is a global trial with full buy-in and which has been approved by council on the basis that the amendments can have a positive effect on the playing of the game.

"The global trials are not fait accompli. It is essential at the end of the global trial process that decisions made are in the best interest of rugby worldwide."

The November Test window will also see international sides allowed to select eight replacements, bringing them in line with domestic competition where an extra front-row substitute is named on the bench.

A further amendment, regarding the problem area of the scrum, has been referred to the specialist Scrum Steering Group.

The current 'crouch, touch, pause, engage' sequence has come in for criticism, and the group will consider a change to a 'crouch, touch, set' sequence.

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Winning Gatland Unhappy with Clancy

Warren Gatland was left frustrated by referee George Clancy's interpretation at the breakdown, despite seeing his side move to within a win of the Grand Slam with a 24-3 victory over Italy.

Even though they were the dominant side Wales ended on the wrong end of the penalty count, conceding 13 to 12, and Gatland said: "I thought there was a lot of intent by us but it was a bit frustrating because the flow of the game was not there.

"We were not allowed to get quick ball and the breakdown was a bit of a mess.

"We will take the win but if a team has that much possession and territory and loses the penalty count 13-12 you have got to be frustrated about that. We weren't allowed to get the momentum going.

"It's probably just about trying to get the message through to referees, let's be positive to the team that is trying to play positively and let's reward them for that.

"I don't think everything has to be 100 per cent to the letter of the law because there is so much interpretation.

"That's why I am personally pretty frustrated because it was difficult for us. They came with a limited game and didn't allow us to function.

"That's what rugby is about and there is nothing illegal about doing it. You just hope that too many teams don't win by doing that."

Despite his frustrations Wales will face France at the Millennium Stadium looking to once again claim the crown of the best side in Europe.

"It won't be difficult for us to get through this week at all," Gatlan added. "The guys have got their heads on. These young players are just taking these things in their stride.

Hype

"The players are well aware about the huge amount of hype but I would like to think they are in a good place and that the Welsh public are pretty happy with them."

Assistant coach Rob Howley added: "The next week will be the same as the last three weeks. We have to get our preparation right.

"We have trained particularly well over the last three or four weeks and the word Grand Slam hasn't been mentioned up until this point.

"It will be interesting to see how France go against England tomorrow but to be honest we will concentrate on ourselves."

For Italy, whose only points came from Mirco Bergamasco's early penalty, it was a fourth-straight defeat under coach Jacques Brunel.

But the former Perpignan boss, who revealed that replacement half-back Tobias Botes had suffered a dislocated shoulder, was pleased with the Azzurri's defensive display.

He said: "The spirit we have shown today was completely different than against Ireland in Dublin, especially in our defensive performance against what is a very powerful Welsh side and we kept ourselves in the game almost throughout.

"But it was a weaker game from an attacking point of view especially with the line-out as we made too many mistakes there to launch any good attacks."

O'Sullivan Urges Quick Paris Date

Former Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan has urged tournament organisers to stage Saturday night's aborted RBS 6 Nations match at the Stade de France this weekend.

Ireland's clash with France was postponed 10 minutes before kick-off after referee Dave Pearson deemed the pitch to be dangerous following a week of sub-zero temperatures in Paris.

Six Nations has confirmed the match will be staged during one of the break weekends (18-19 February or 3-4 March).

A decision is expected no later than Tuesday.

O'Sullivan believes the earlier option is preferable as it will be kinder to both squads.

"It's a stretch to hold the game next Friday," said O'Sullivan, who masterminded three Triple Crowns during his seven-year reign at Lansdowne Road.

"But if we push it out between the midpoint then we'll end up with Ireland and France playing four matches back to back. That would put a huge strain on the squad.

"It would be much better if they could play it next weekend and then have a break after the third week.

"That would make much more sense in terms of players not getting injured or burnt out. It would also keep the tournament in kilter in terms of results.

"They do have to fit it in during the tournament because there are no free weekends running into the summer.

"We've never seen this before and I imagine we'll never see this again."

Coaches Declan Kidney and Philippe Saint-Andre accepted Pearson's verdict despite the enormous disruption it would cause to their championships.

"We walked the part of the pitch that he was concerned with and I understand why he made his call," said Kidney.

"I'm very disappointed for the supporters and players, but I'd be more disappointed if I was sitting in hospital with somebody who had a very bad injury."

Six Nations last night issued a statement clarifying the procedure for postponing matches, highlighting that the home union and referee are the only parties able to make the call.

However, the question of why Pearson was not urged to complete a definitive pitch inspection on Thursday or Friday night, when conditions were forecast to be near-identical, remains unanswered.

France v Ireland Called Off at Kick Off

The Six Nations game between France and Ireland was called off five minutes before kick-off because of a frozen pitch at the Stade de France in Paris.

Referee Dave Pearson decided that parts of the pitch at the stadium were not safe for the players and the game will now have to be rearranged.

The French capital has been suffering sub-zero temperatures all week.

Ireland coach Declan Kidney told the BBC that he agreed with the decision to call off the fixture.

"One particular part of the pitch was unsafe to play on so I believe the referee took the right decision," said Kidney.

"The players were pumped up for it in the dressing room as the protocol of this competition demands that you prepare fully for the game.

"The boys were ready to go but sometimes you have to let your head rule your heart."

It is the first time since 1985 that a Six Nations match has been called off because of adverse weather conditions.

IRB Back Barnes over Ferris

The International Rugby Board and Six Nations have backed Referee Wayne Barnes over the penalty decision that led to Ireland's Stephen Ferris being yellow carded during the RBS 6 Nations match at the Aviva Stadium on February 5th. 

While an Independent Six Nations Disciplinary Panel did not ultimately uphold the citing, the IRB’s match officials performance review endorsed Barnes' decision to award a penalty. 

 On first viewing the panel could understand exactly how the match referee came to his decision. In dismissing the citing no criticism of the referee’s on field decision should be taken or inferred. It was only after careful and prolonged analysis of the dynamics of the contact, including slow motion and step by step viewing, that the committee was able to see the strength of the submissions made in favour of Stephen Ferris. 

All match officials are selected for International competition on merit. 

Performances are reviewed on an ongoing basis and taken into consideration when appointments are made for future international competitions.

6 Nations Referees Appointed

The International Rugby Board has announced the appointments of match officials for the 2012 RBS 6 Nations Championship, which kicks off on February 4.

Appointments for the northern Hemisphere's showcase international competition were made by the IRB Referees Selection Committee in Auckland, New Zealand following a detailed review of match official performances at the 2011 Rugby World Cup and other major competitions.

Welshman Nigel Owens will get the action underway when he referees World Cup runners-up France against Italy at the Stade de France, with Ireland's George Clancy taking charge of Scotland versus England at Murrayfield on the same day.

England's Wayne Barnes will complete the opening weekend of fixtures when he officiates at the Ireland v Wales match at the Aviva Stadium on February 5.

Chris Pollock, a reserve referee at the Rugby World Cup, will make his Six Nations refereeing debut when he takes charge of Ireland against Scotland at the Aviva Stadium on March 10.

Pollock refereed his first Tri Nations match earlier in the year when he took charge of Australia against South Africa.

The World Cup final referee Craig Joubert has been appointed to two matches, taking charge of Ireland versus Italy at the Aviva Stadium on February 25 and Wales against France at the Millennium Stadium on March 17.

New Zealand's Bryce Lawrence, a member of the 2011 World Cup match official team, has been rested following a busy year of international and domestic fixtures and is expected to return for the June 2012 Tests.

Appointments have also been made for Australia's two-match tour to Europe at the end of this month.

France's Romain Poite will take charge of the Wallabies' clash with the Barbarians at Twickenham on November 26, while Jonathan Kaplan of South Africa will referee the match against Wales at the Millennium Stadium on December 3.

IRB Referees Manager Paddy O'Brien said: "We have made the appointments immediately after the 2011 Rugby World Cup so match officials have the best possible preparation period ahead of the Six Nations, after what has been a physically demanding year of Test rugby."

2012 6 Nations Referees

Miller to Step Down from IRB

International Rugby Board chief executive Mike Miller is to step down after 10 years in the role.

America-born Miller will also leave his post as managing director of Rugby World Cup Limited after the re-election of Bernard Lapasset as IRB president.

Miller has overseen three Rugby World Cups, the re-admission of rugby union into the Olympic Games and the growth of the Sevens World Series.

"We have achieved a lot in the last decade," Miller said in a statement.

"It was an honour and a privilege. The game has grown around the world and with its major events going to Asia and Eastern Europe for the first time the platform has been established for rugby to become a truly global sport."

Miller will leave at the end of January, and Lapasset said: "Mike has achieved much during his 10 years at the IRB, which is a much stronger organisation than when he joined in 2002.

"The game is in great shape but Mike will be a hard act to follow.

"But with my newly reaffirmed four-year mandate, a revamped IRB executive committee, a soon-to-be refreshed Rugby World Cup board and a vibrant council and staff, we have the tools in place to continue to drive the game forward."