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World Rugby has confirmed the referees for the Americas 2 Rugby World Cup Qualifying series between Canada and Uruguay. Ireland’s Andrew Brace will take charge of the first match, to take place on January 27 at Vancouver’s BC Place. The second, at the Estadio Charrúa in Montevideo on February 3, will have England’s Luke Pearce in the middle.
Brace, 29, has been on the IRFU’s senior panel since 2013, the first year he moved to officiating on a full-time basis. Originally from Wales, He moved to Ireland in 2009 to work as a development officer for Munster. Brace holds the unique distinction of having played for Belgium both in 7s and XVs. He was appointed to the senior Guinness Pro Championship panel ahead of the 2015-16 season.
Also Welsh-born but raised in Exeter, 30-year-old Pearce first took up the whistle at 16 and became the youngest referee to achieve National Panel honors at the age of 22. He was added to the Aviva Premiership panel ahead of the 2011-12 season and took charge of his first international in 2013. Pearce has also been a referee on the HSBC Sevens Series.
While they will be new to most of the Uruguayan team, Canada have experienced both referees in recent internationals. Brace was in the middle of both the Georgia test in Calgary on June 10 and the second Americas 1 Qualifiers against the Eagles in San Diego on July 1. Pearce officiated the match against Samoa at Grenoble in November 2016.
