Italy vs Ireland referee: Who is Six Nations official Luke Pearce?
England's Luke Pearce is the referee for Italy vs Ireland in the 2025 Six Nations.
The Exeter-based whistler is long established as a top international official having overseen his 50th Test during last year's tournament, when he took charge of two fixtures during the course of the campaign.
The 36-year-old started his officiating journey in Devon at the age of 16, and was refereeing in the second tier Championship by the age of 21.
A promotion to the Premiership swiftly followed before a step-up to Test level in February 2013.
The depth in English refereeing has occasionally held Pearce back, though his highly communicative style and preference for pace are well liked by players.
He took charge of his first Premiership final in 2023, overseeing Saracens' win over Sale at Twickenham, before being one of four English referees at the World Cup later that autumn.
Pearce joins compatriots Matthew Carley, Karl Dickson and Christophe Ridley in being the lead official during this Six Nations, showcasing the strength of the English refereeing pool.
Italy v Ireland match officials
Referee: Luke Pearce (Eng)
Assistant Referees: Angus Gardner (Aus) & Morné Ferreira (SA)
Television Match Official: Andrew Jackson (Eng)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
North Wales Chronicle
27 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Ilkay Gundogan double helps Man City thrash Al Ain at Club World Cup
The Premier League side were far too strong for their Abu Dhabi-based opponents under a closed roof at Atlanta's spectacular Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The result seemed certain from the moment Gundogan, who has been linked with a move to Galatasaray, opened the scoring – perhaps fortuitously – by lobbing the keeper after eight minutes. A magnificent Manchester City display. ✨ #FIFACWC — FIFA Club World Cup (@FIFACWC) June 23, 2025 Teenager Claudio Echeverri marked his first City start by adding the second from a free-kick and Erling Haaland made it 3-0 at half-time from the penalty spot. Gundogan finished off a neat move after 73 minutes before substitutes Oscar Bobb and Rayan Cherki struck late on to ensure City and Juventus will progress from Group G. The two sides will meet in Orlando on Thursday to settle top spot, with Real Madrid potentially lying in wait in the first knockout round. City, who made 11 changes from their opening win over Wydad Casablanca, were quick to take charge, although it was not obvious if Gundogan intended his chip as an attempt on goal. The Germany midfielder beat a challenge and delicately lofted the ball in the direction of Haaland at the back post, but no extra touch was required as the ball dropped into the net. Despite their clear superiority, City did still have some awkward moments at the back and one such saw Nassim Chadli break through on goal but Stefan Ortega touched the former Morocco youth international's shot behind. 💥 NUMBER 6! Rayan Cherki joins the party with a clean finish — City running wild! Watch the @FIFACWC | June 14 – July 13 | Every Game | Free | | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #MCIAIN — DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 23, 2025 There was a lengthy delay as Echeverri, making his first City start, required treatment following a collision. The Argentinean's problem was clearly not too serious as moments later he stepped up to curl in City's second after Matheus Nunes was hauled down after 27 minutes. Haaland could have added another within seconds after robbing Park Yong-woo and rounding Khalid Eisa but he shot across goal from a tight angle. As the first Mexican waves of the evening gathered momentum, Josko Gvardiol went even closer when he headed against the post. Haaland dragged another effort wide after being played in by Bernardo Silva but he finally got his goal after City were awarded a penalty in first-half stoppage time. A defining day in Group G, but all to play for in Group H. 🤯#FIFACWC — FIFA Club World Cup (@FIFACWC) June 23, 2025 The referee initially ignored City's claims after Manuel Akanji was wrestled to the ground by Ramy Rabia but the decision was changed after a VAR review. Haaland, who attracted criticism after handing a penalty to Omar Marmoush – who subsequently missed – in the FA Cup final, calmly sent the keeper the wrong way. Nunes went close to adding to the score after a clever flick and turn but his volley flew narrowly side. Phil Foden, who came on at half-time, picked out Haaland with a low cross from the left but Eisa denied him with a double save. The fourth goal came when Gundogan took a pass from Silva and brilliantly dinked over Eisa. City rammed home their advantage in the closing minutes as Bobb fired a shot inside the post and new signing Cherki struck with a low effort from the edge of the area.
South Wales Argus
43 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
Ilkay Gundogan double helps Man City thrash Al Ain at Club World Cup
The Premier League side were far too strong for their Abu Dhabi-based opponents under a closed roof at Atlanta's spectacular Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The result seemed certain from the moment Gundogan, who has been linked with a move to Galatasaray, opened the scoring – perhaps fortuitously – by lobbing the keeper after eight minutes. A magnificent Manchester City display. ✨ #FIFACWC — FIFA Club World Cup (@FIFACWC) June 23, 2025 Teenager Claudio Echeverri marked his first City start by adding the second from a free-kick and Erling Haaland made it 3-0 at half-time from the penalty spot. Gundogan finished off a neat move after 73 minutes before substitutes Oscar Bobb and Rayan Cherki struck late on to ensure City and Juventus will progress from Group G. The two sides will meet in Orlando on Thursday to settle top spot, with Real Madrid potentially lying in wait in the first knockout round. City, who made 11 changes from their opening win over Wydad Casablanca, were quick to take charge, although it was not obvious if Gundogan intended his chip as an attempt on goal. The Germany midfielder beat a challenge and delicately lofted the ball in the direction of Haaland at the back post, but no extra touch was required as the ball dropped into the net. Despite their clear superiority, City did still have some awkward moments at the back and one such saw Nassim Chadli break through on goal but Stefan Ortega touched the former Morocco youth international's shot behind. 💥 NUMBER 6! Rayan Cherki joins the party with a clean finish — City running wild! Watch the @FIFACWC | June 14 – July 13 | Every Game | Free | | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #MCIAIN — DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 23, 2025 There was a lengthy delay as Echeverri, making his first City start, required treatment following a collision. The Argentinean's problem was clearly not too serious as moments later he stepped up to curl in City's second after Matheus Nunes was hauled down after 27 minutes. Haaland could have added another within seconds after robbing Park Yong-woo and rounding Khalid Eisa but he shot across goal from a tight angle. As the first Mexican waves of the evening gathered momentum, Josko Gvardiol went even closer when he headed against the post. Haaland dragged another effort wide after being played in by Bernardo Silva but he finally got his goal after City were awarded a penalty in first-half stoppage time. A defining day in Group G, but all to play for in Group H. 🤯#FIFACWC — FIFA Club World Cup (@FIFACWC) June 23, 2025 The referee initially ignored City's claims after Manuel Akanji was wrestled to the ground by Ramy Rabia but the decision was changed after a VAR review. Haaland, who attracted criticism after handing a penalty to Omar Marmoush – who subsequently missed – in the FA Cup final, calmly sent the keeper the wrong way. Nunes went close to adding to the score after a clever flick and turn but his volley flew narrowly side. Phil Foden, who came on at half-time, picked out Haaland with a low cross from the left but Eisa denied him with a double save. The fourth goal came when Gundogan took a pass from Silva and brilliantly dinked over Eisa. City rammed home their advantage in the closing minutes as Bobb fired a shot inside the post and new signing Cherki struck with a low effort from the edge of the area.
South Wales Guardian
43 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
Ilkay Gundogan double helps Man City thrash Al Ain at Club World Cup
The Premier League side were far too strong for their Abu Dhabi-based opponents under a closed roof at Atlanta's spectacular Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The result seemed certain from the moment Gundogan, who has been linked with a move to Galatasaray, opened the scoring – perhaps fortuitously – by lobbing the keeper after eight minutes. A magnificent Manchester City display. ✨ #FIFACWC — FIFA Club World Cup (@FIFACWC) June 23, 2025 Teenager Claudio Echeverri marked his first City start by adding the second from a free-kick and Erling Haaland made it 3-0 at half-time from the penalty spot. Gundogan finished off a neat move after 73 minutes before substitutes Oscar Bobb and Rayan Cherki struck late on to ensure City and Juventus will progress from Group G. The two sides will meet in Orlando on Thursday to settle top spot, with Real Madrid potentially lying in wait in the first knockout round. City, who made 11 changes from their opening win over Wydad Casablanca, were quick to take charge, although it was not obvious if Gundogan intended his chip as an attempt on goal. The Germany midfielder beat a challenge and delicately lofted the ball in the direction of Haaland at the back post, but no extra touch was required as the ball dropped into the net. Despite their clear superiority, City did still have some awkward moments at the back and one such saw Nassim Chadli break through on goal but Stefan Ortega touched the former Morocco youth international's shot behind. 💥 NUMBER 6! Rayan Cherki joins the party with a clean finish — City running wild! Watch the @FIFACWC | June 14 – July 13 | Every Game | Free | | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #MCIAIN — DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 23, 2025 There was a lengthy delay as Echeverri, making his first City start, required treatment following a collision. The Argentinean's problem was clearly not too serious as moments later he stepped up to curl in City's second after Matheus Nunes was hauled down after 27 minutes. Haaland could have added another within seconds after robbing Park Yong-woo and rounding Khalid Eisa but he shot across goal from a tight angle. As the first Mexican waves of the evening gathered momentum, Josko Gvardiol went even closer when he headed against the post. Haaland dragged another effort wide after being played in by Bernardo Silva but he finally got his goal after City were awarded a penalty in first-half stoppage time. A defining day in Group G, but all to play for in Group H. 🤯#FIFACWC — FIFA Club World Cup (@FIFACWC) June 23, 2025 The referee initially ignored City's claims after Manuel Akanji was wrestled to the ground by Ramy Rabia but the decision was changed after a VAR review. Haaland, who attracted criticism after handing a penalty to Omar Marmoush – who subsequently missed – in the FA Cup final, calmly sent the keeper the wrong way. Nunes went close to adding to the score after a clever flick and turn but his volley flew narrowly side. Phil Foden, who came on at half-time, picked out Haaland with a low cross from the left but Eisa denied him with a double save. The fourth goal came when Gundogan took a pass from Silva and brilliantly dinked over Eisa. City rammed home their advantage in the closing minutes as Bobb fired a shot inside the post and new signing Cherki struck with a low effort from the edge of the area.
