International referee Mathieu Raynal announced on Tuesday that he would retire from refereeing after the July international window. He will lead his 50th test there, becoming, at almost 43 years old, the fourth Frenchman to reach this milestone after Romain Poite (73), Jérôme Garcès (55) and Pascal Gaüzère (52).
The official from Perpignan, whose international debut dates back to April 2009 with a Malta-Netherlands match, will have refereed eight Six Nations Tournaments, five Rugby Championships and two World Cups, including the 2023 edition in France. The only French field referee, was on the whistle for England-Argentina on September 9, South Africa-Romania on September 17, Uruguay-Namibia on September 27, and Wales-Georgia on October 7, before to officiate in the quarter-final between England and Fiji on October 15.
Mathieu Raynal was also on the whistle during the final test of the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa in 2021 as well as two Top 14 finals in France (2016, 2021)
“This sport has given me a lot and refereeing it at the highest level for all these years has been a privilege and an immense honor,” commented the Frenchman. After 18 years at the high level and almost 350 matches refereed, it will be time for me, at the end of the season, to put an end to a profession that I deeply loved and which allowed me to live unique experiences. on all terrains around the world. Even if I had the power, I would not change anything about the journey that has been mine. Especially not the complicated moments. They awakened me to the limitless power of moral strength and resilience and allowed me to appreciate good times with more flavor and intensity.”
The president of World Rugby, Sir Bill Beaumont, immediately paid tribute to him. “Mathieu is a fantastic referee and must be incredibly proud of what he has achieved at the highest level of rugby. We are really proud. To excel as an international match official, one must possess particular qualities, and Mathieu has demonstrated them brilliantly over the past decade. He is an example for aspiring referees, a remarkable person, an honor to his country, and he will be remembered as one of the best. He has played an important role in the development of refereeing globally and is deeply invested in supporting the next generation of match officials. I am delighted that he will now be able to bring his wealth of experience to bear as he embarks on a promising new chapter.”
Mathieu Raynal should quickly join a new commission dedicated to high-level refereeing desired by the FFR alongside Romain Poite.