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Pontypool-born Luke Pearce will take charge of Wales’ opening game in the defence of their Six Nations title against Italy, in Cardiff, on February 1.

The RFU-affiliated official, who left Wales as a youngster for a new life in Exeter, took charge of their World Cup opener with Georgia, in Japan.

He also ran the line as Warren Gatland’s side completed stage four of their 2019 Six Nations Grand Slam with a 18-11 victory over Scotland at Murrayfield.

With 2019 World Cup final referee Jerome Garces having announced his international retirement, there’s a Six Nations debut for Cardiff-born official Andrew Brace, who used to work as a community development officer for the Blues.

He left the Welsh capital for a similar role in Limerick before taking up the whistle and rising up through the Irish RU ranks.

(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency)

He was an assistant referee at the World Cup but has been handed his first Six Nations match taking charge of the France v Italy clash in Paris.

Frenchman Romain Poite will take charge of Wales’ second match when they travel to Dublin on February 8 while England’s Matthew Carley will blow the whistle on their Principality Stadium showdown with France two weeks later.

New Zealander Ben O’Keeffe is the man in the middle for their Twickenham blockbuster with Eddie Jones’ World Cup finalists on March 7, while 2018 World Rugby referee of the year, Australia’s Angus Gardiner, is given Wales’ final game with Scotland, in Cardiff, on the March 14 Super Saturday.

Mike Adamson (Scotland), Mike Fraser (New Zealand), Frank Murphy (Ireland) and Ben Whitehouse (Wales) return to the squad as assistant referees, while James Leckie (Australia), Glenn Newman (New Zealand) and Brian MacNeice (Ireland) are included in an expanded Television Match Official (TMO) panel after Ben Skeen announced his retirement.

Welshman Nigel Owens will make his 98th Test appearance when he referees France v England at Stade de France on February 2, while World Rugby 2019 award winner Wayne Barnes (England) will take charge of France versus Ireland at the same venue on March 14 his 90th Test as a referee.

It was thought the World Cup was set to be the swansong for London barrister Barnes, but the Gloucestershire official seems to have a change of heart and is set to carry on refereeing.

World Rugby referees chief Alain Rolland said: "There is a huge amount of excitement and motivation across the team as we head into the first Six Nations of the new decade.

"We have a strong team ethic, a superb group of match officials and we are excited about the young talent that is coming through the ranks from the U20 Championship and elite club environment.

"Our goal is always clear, consistent and accurate decision-making and while there is no change in emphasis we will continue to build on what we achieved at Rugby World Cup 2019, working with the teams to ensure the best-possible experience for players and fans.

"I would like to congratulate Andrew Brace on his first Six Nations refereeing appointment.”

Appointments (kick-off times in local time):

Saturday, February 1

Wales v Italy (1415)

Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU); Assistants: Matthew Carley (RFU) Mike Fraser (NZRU); TMO: James Leckie (RA).

Ireland v Scotland (1645)

Referee: Mathieu Raynal (FFR); Assistants: Pascal Gauzere (FFR) Federico Anselmi (UAR); TMO: Glenn Newman (NZR).

Sunday, February 2

France v England (1600)

Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU); Assistants: Andrew Brace (IRFU) Brendon Pickerill (NZR); TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRFU).

Saturday, February 8

Ireland v Wales (1415)

Referee: Romain Poite (FFR); Assistants: Luke Pearce (RFU) Mike Fraser (NZR); TMO Glenn Newman (NZR).

Scotland v England (1645)

Referee: Pascal Gauzere (FFR); Assistants: Mathieu Raynal (FFR) Federico Anselmi (UAR); TMO: James Leckie (RA).

Sunday, February 9

France v Italy (1600)

Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU); Assistants: Nigel Owens (WRU) Brendon Pickerill (NZR); TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRFU).

Saturday, February 22

Italy v Scotland (1515)

Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR); Assistants: Mathieu Raynal (FFR) Ben Whitehouse (WRU); TMO Rowan Kitt (RFU).

Saturday, February 22

Wales v France (1645)

Referee: Matthew Carley (RFU); Assistants: Wayne Barnes (RFU) Karl Dickson (RFU); TMO: Graham Hughes (RFU).

Sunday, February 23

England v Ireland (1500)

Referee: Jaco Peyper (SARU); Assistants: Romain Poite (FFR) Alex Ruiz (FFR); TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU).

Saturday, March 7

Ireland v Italy (1415)

Referee Nic Berry (RA); Assistants: Angus Gardner (RA) Karl Dickson (RFU); TMO: Graham Hughes (RFU).

England v Wales (1645)

Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR); Assistants: Romain Poite (FFR) Alex Ruiz (FFR); TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU).

Sunday, March 8

Scotland v France (1500)

Referee: Paul Williams (NZR); Assistants: Wayne Barnes (RFU) Frank Murphy (IRFU); TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRFU).

Saturday, March 14

Wales v Scotland (1415)

Referee: Angus Gardner (RA); Assistants: Nic Berry (RA) Karl Dickson (RFU); TMO: Rowan Kitt (RFU).

Italy v England (1745)

Referee: Pascal Gauzere (FFR); Assistants: Andrew Brace (IRFU) Alex Ruiz (FFR); TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRFU).

France v Ireland (2100)

Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU); Assistants: Paul Williams (NZR) Mike Adamson (SRU); TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU).