AFTER 37 SENIOR international matches, Irish referee John Lacey is set to retire from Test match officiating at the end of the season and will take up a new role in the IRFU.

John Lacey officiating at Leinster against Scarlets. Source: Byran Keane/INPHO

Lacey’s imminent departure was confirmed today and will see him fill a position that will entail high performance coaching and talent identification.

The Tipperary native will take charge of his final Test match on Saturday 1 December when Argentina take on the Barbarians.

He has been in charge of Test international matches between 2010 and 2018, and was involved in four matches at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Lacey will stay refereeing games at Pro14 and European level until the end of the current season before taking up his new IRFU role.

The best of luck to John Lacey who is set to retire at the end of the season to mentor the next generation of Irish match officials.



Full story | https://t.co/FFWJXNjKYD#RefTeam pic.twitter.com/zjwstjuuZg — Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) November 9, 2018 Source: Munster Rugby /Twitter

Before taking up the whistle, Lacey represented Clanwilliam, Sunday’s Well, Munster and the Ireland Sevens and A teams.

World Rugby match officials selection panel chairman Anthony Buchanan paid tribute to Lacey.

“John has been an outstanding servant of international officiating over a eight-year period, winning 37 caps and many friends along the way as a match official who always gave 100% to the cause.

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“In particular, as a senior member of the international panel in recent years, he has played a strong role in mentoring and supporting the younger members of the group and it is these qualities that will be to the fore as he begins an exciting new chapter in his career. Everyone at World Rugby wishes him well.”

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