The former scrum-half will take charge of two 2025 Men's Six Nations matches

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Karl Dickson: Meet the rugby referee and former player

Karl Dickson was born on 2 August 1982 in Salisbury, Wiltshire.

He started in rugby as a player, competing at scrum-half. Dickson played for Bedford Blues and Harlequins before announcing his retirement in 2017. He said upon retiring: “I’m able to look back at my playing career with great pride. I will cherish the memories that Harlequins has given me, both on and off the field.

“It will be difficult to watch on from the peripheries going forward. But John Kingston (who has since left) and the coaching team have this squad in a great place and I look forward to seeing their progression.”

Dickson began studying to be a referee in 2014 while he was still playing professionally. He told the Career Changers: “I did the course and started building through the levels. When it came to the final year in my contract, I still had an offer on the table from Harlequins to carry on. I thought long term-wise refereeing was something I wanted to do and pursue.”

His role models were guys who played professional rugby before forging a successful refereeing career. In a 2018 interview with the Rugby Players’ Association, he said: “Glen Jackson and Nic Berry are two referees who I take a huge amount of inspiration from and look up to. Wayne Barnes has been incredible too. He is my coach and we sit down most weeks to look at my games and analyse areas in which I can improve.”

He continued: “I love that I’m still connected with the game in a big way. It’s given me the opportunity to continue something I have a huge passion for and stay in contact with the guys I played with. I enjoy the pressure of being a referee, feel confident in making the big calls and enjoy the game as I much as I ever have.”

Dickson made his Six Nations refereeing debut in 2022 when taking charge of Scotland v France. His World Cup debut, starting with Wales v Portugal, followed in 2023.

He is one of only two referees – the other being fellow Englishman Matt Carley – scheduled to officiate two 2025 Men’s Six Nations matches. Scotland v Italy (1 February) and Italy v France (23 February) are the games in question, along with assistant referee duties for the championship finale, France v Scotland, on 15 March.

Dickson has a younger brother, Lee, who played rugby for England.

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