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{{Short description|Rugby union referee and former player}}
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'''Andrew Brace''' is a former rugby union player and current referee. As an international player for Belgium, Brace currently represents the [[Irish Rugby Football Union]] as a referee. Brace has refereed matches in the [[Pro14]], the [[European Rugby Challenge Cup]] and the [[European Rugby Champions Cup]]. In 2017 he began refereeing [[Test match (rugby union)|test matches]].
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

[[File:Andrew Brace 2021.jpg|thumb|Andrew Brace]]
⚫
'''Andrew Brace''' is a [[rugby union]] referee and former player. Born in [[Cardiff]], [[Wales]], Brace represents the [[Irish Rugby Football Union]] as a referee, and was an international player for [[Belgium national rugby union team|Belgium]]. He currently referees in the [[United Rugby Championship|URC]], [[European Rugby Challenge Cup]], [[European Rugby Champions Cup]] and at test match level.


==Early life==
==Early life==
Brace was born in [[Cardiff]], [[Wales]]. He moved between [[Ireland]] and [[Wales]] throughout his early life. He started playing rugby union in Cardiff when he was 12. In his youth Brace also played the [[violin]]. He is a grade eight violinist. His violin teacher was the mother of [[Gethin Jones]].<ref name="pro14rugby201217">{{cite web|url=https://www.pro14rugby.org/2017/12/20/getting-know-andrew-brace/|title=Getting to know: Andrew Brace|publisher=www.pro14rugby.org|access-date=2 February 2018|date=20 December 2017}}</ref><ref name="pro14rugby020118">{{cite web|url=https://www.pro14rugby.org/2018/01/02/andrew-brace-qa/|title=Andrew Brace Q&A|publisher=www.pro14rugby.org|access-date=2 February 2018|date=2 January 2018}}</ref> Between 2006 and 2009 Brace attended the [[University of St Mark & St John]] where he gained a [[Bachelor of Arts|BA]] in sports science and coaching. Between 2010 and 2017 Brace worked as a community rugby officer for [[Munster Rugby]]. He previously worked as a community development officer for [[Cardiff Blues]].<ref name="linkedin">{{cite web|url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-brace-13005993|title=Andrew Brace|publisher=www.linkedin.com|access-date=1 February 2018}}</ref><ref name="independent211114">{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/my-job-in-munster-andy-brace-community-rugby-officer-30760826.html|title=My job in Munster Andy Brace Community Rugby Officer|publisher=www.independent.ie|access-date=4 February 2018|date=21 November 2014}}</ref> Brace continued working as a community rugby officer until 2017 when, together with [[George Clancy (rugby union)|George Clancy]], [[John Lacey (rugby union)|John Lacey]] and [[Joy Neville]] he was one of seven referees offered professional contracts by the [[Irish Rugby Football Union|IRFU]].<ref name="rugbyreferee231017">{{cite web|url=http://rugbyreferee.net/2017/10/23/seven-irish-referees-rewarded-with-professional-contracts/|title=Seven Irish referees awarded with professional contracts|publisher=rugbyreferee.net|access-date=21 December 2017|date=23 October 2017}}</ref>
Brace was born in [[Cardiff]], [[Wales]]. He moved between [[Ireland]] and [[Wales]] throughout his early life. He started playing rugby union in Cardiff when he was 12. In his youth Brace also played the violin. He is a grade eight violinist. His violin teacher was the mother of [[Gethin Jones]].<ref name="pro14rugby201217">{{cite web|url=https://www.pro14rugby.org/2017/12/20/getting-know-andrew-brace/|title=Getting to know: Andrew Brace|publisher=www.pro14rugby.org|access-date=2 February 2018|date=20 December 2017|archive-date=11 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180611194511/https://www.pro14rugby.org/2017/12/20/getting-know-andrew-brace/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="pro14rugby020118">{{cite web|url=https://www.pro14rugby.org/2018/01/02/andrew-brace-qa/|title=Andrew Brace Q&A|publisher=www.pro14rugby.org|access-date=2 February 2018|date=2 January 2018|archive-date=9 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209060013/https://www.pro14rugby.org/2018/01/02/andrew-brace-qa/|url-status=live}}</ref> Between 2006 and 2009 Brace attended the [[University of St Mark & St John]] where he gained a [[Bachelor of Arts|BA]] in sports science and coaching. Between 2010 and 2017 Brace worked as a community rugby officer for [[Munster Rugby]]. He previously worked as a community development officer for [[Cardiff Blues]].<ref name="linkedin">{{cite web|url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-brace-13005993|title=Andrew Brace|publisher=www.linkedin.com|access-date=1 February 2018}}</ref><ref name="independent211114">{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/my-job-in-munster-andy-brace-community-rugby-officer-30760826.html|title=My job in Munster Andy Brace Community Rugby Officer|publisher=www.independent.ie|access-date=4 February 2018|date=21 November 2014|archive-date=6 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206132925/https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/my-job-in-munster-andy-brace-community-rugby-officer-30760826.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Brace continued working as a community rugby officer until 2017 when, together with [[George Clancy (rugby union)|George Clancy]], [[John Lacey (rugby union)|John Lacey]] and [[Joy Neville]] he was one of seven referees offered professional contracts by the [[Irish Rugby Football Union|IRFU]].<ref name="rugbyreferee231017">{{cite web|url=http://rugbyreferee.net/2017/10/23/seven-irish-referees-rewarded-with-professional-contracts/|title=Seven Irish referees awarded with professional contracts|publisher=rugbyreferee.net|access-date=21 December 2017|date=23 October 2017|archive-date=29 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229112609/http://rugbyreferee.net/2017/10/23/seven-irish-referees-rewarded-with-professional-contracts/|url-status=live}}</ref>


==Playing career==
==Playing career==
===Clubs===
===Clubs===
While working as a community rugby officer for [[Munster Rugby]], Brace also played both [[rugby union]] for [[Old Crescent RFC|Old Crescent]]. ''{{ref|1|[Note 1]}}'' <ref name="rugbyreferee231017"/><ref name="oldcrescent251015">{{cite web|url=http://www.oldcrescentrfc.com/news/old-crescents-andy-brace-will-referee-european-challenge-cup-clash-between-gloucester-and-zebre/|title=Old Crescent's Andy Brace will referee European Challenge Cup clash between Gloucester and Zebre|publisher=www.oldcrescentrfc.com|access-date=2 February 2018|date=25 October 2015}}</ref><ref name="sportkipik">{{cite web|url=https://www.sportkipik.be/le-groupe-des-diables-pour-dubai|title=Le groupe des Diables pour Dubaï|publisher=www.sportkipik.be|access-date=2 February 2018|date=29 November 2012|language=fr}}</ref><ref name="limerickpost070616">{{cite web|url=https://www.limerickpost.ie/2016/06/07/rugby-old-crescents-brace-referee-jwc/|title=Rugby – Old Crescent's Brace to referee at U/20 World Championships|publisher=www.limerickpost.ie|access-date=4 February 2018|date=7 June 2016}}</ref><ref name="sportsfile1">{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsfile.com/id/453147/|title=2010 Meteor Munster Rugby Sevens|publisher=www.sportsfile.com|access-date=4 February 2018|date=21 August 2010}}</ref><ref name="sportsfile2">{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsfile.com/more-images/10080199/|title=2010 Meteor Munster Rugby Sevens Photos|publisher=www.sportsfile.com|access-date=4 February 2018|date=21 August 2010}}</ref>
While working as a community rugby officer for [[Munster Rugby]], Brace also played for [[Old Crescent RFC|Old Crescent]].''{{ref|1|[Note 1]}}''<ref name="rugbyreferee231017"/><ref name="oldcrescent251015">{{cite web|url=http://www.oldcrescentrfc.com/news/old-crescents-andy-brace-will-referee-european-challenge-cup-clash-between-gloucester-and-zebre/|title=Old Crescent's Andy Brace will referee European Challenge Cup clash between Gloucester and Zebre|publisher=www.oldcrescentrfc.com|access-date=2 February 2018|date=25 October 2015|archive-date=12 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612202922/http://www.oldcrescentrfc.com/news/old-crescents-andy-brace-will-referee-european-challenge-cup-clash-between-gloucester-and-zebre/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="sportkipik">{{cite web|url=https://www.sportkipik.be/le-groupe-des-diables-pour-dubai|title=Le groupe des Diables pour Dubaï|publisher=www.sportkipik.be|access-date=2 February 2018|date=29 November 2012|language=fr|archive-date=28 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828225612/https://www.sportkipik.be/le-groupe-des-diables-pour-dubai|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="limerickpost070616">{{cite web|url=https://www.limerickpost.ie/2016/06/07/rugby-old-crescents-brace-referee-jwc/|title=Rugby – Old Crescent's Brace to referee at U/20 World Championships|publisher=www.limerickpost.ie|access-date=4 February 2018|date=7 June 2016|archive-date=6 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206073620/https://www.limerickpost.ie/2016/06/07/rugby-old-crescents-brace-referee-jwc/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="sportsfile1">{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsfile.com/id/453147/|title=2010 Meteor Munster Rugby Sevens|publisher=www.sportsfile.com|access-date=4 February 2018|date=21 August 2010|archive-date=6 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206131656/https://www.sportsfile.com/id/453147/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="sportsfile2">{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsfile.com/more-images/10080199/|title=2010 Meteor Munster Rugby Sevens Photos|publisher=www.sportsfile.com|access-date=4 February 2018|date=21 August 2010|archive-date=6 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206131645/https://www.sportsfile.com/more-images/10080199/|url-status=live}}</ref>


===Belgium international===
===Belgium===
While playing for [[Old Crescent RFC|Old Crescent]], Brace was contacted by an agent to play for the Belgium national rugby union team. Brace qualified to represent Belgium through his father's family. He subsequently helped Belgium win the 2012 Emirates Cup of Nations. He also played for Belgium in the [[2012–14 European Nations Cup First Division]]. However his international career ended after he suffered a run of injuries.<ref name="pro14rugby201217"/><ref name="rugbyreferee231017"/><ref name="sportkipik"/> Brace also played for the [[Belgium national rugby sevens team]].<ref name="irishrugby040615">{{cite web|url=http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/34749.php#.WncpNahl_IU|title=IRFU Referees Continue To Progress Through The Ranks|publisher=www.irishrugby.ie|access-date=4 February 2018|date=4 June 2015}}</ref>
While playing for Old Crescent, Brace was contacted by an agent to play for the [[Belgium national rugby union team|Belgium national team]]. Brace qualified to represent Belgium through his father's family. He subsequently helped Belgium win the 2012 Emirates Cup of Nations. He also played for Belgium in the [[2012–14 European Nations Cup First Division]]. His international career ended after he suffered a run of injuries.<ref name="pro14rugby201217"/><ref name="rugbyreferee231017"/><ref name="sportkipik"/> Brace also played for the [[Belgium national rugby sevens team|Belgium sevens team]].<ref name="irishrugby040615">{{cite web|url=http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/34749.php#.WncpNahl_IU|title=IRFU Referees Continue To Progress Through The Ranks|publisher=www.irishrugby.ie|access-date=4 February 2018|date=4 June 2015|archive-date=26 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180326100404/http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/34749.php#.WncpNahl_IU|url-status=live}}</ref>


==Refereeing career==
==Refereeing career==
===Early years===
===Early years===
While still working as a community rugby officer for [[Munster Rugby]], Brace attended a schools tournament and was asked to referee a match because they were short of an official. The match was between [[The Abbey School (Tipperary)|Abbey CBS]] and St Mary's Town School. He was encouraged to take up refereeing by [[John Lacey (rugby union)|John Lacey]].<ref name="pro14rugby020118"/> Brace subsequently took charge of matches in both the [[British and Irish Cup]] and [[All-Ireland League (rugby union)|All-Ireland League]]. On 3 April 2015 he refereed the [[2014–15 British and Irish Cup]] final between [[Worcester Warriors]] and [[Doncaster Knights]]. On 7 May 2016 he refereed the 2015–16 All-Ireland League final between [[Clontarf FC|Clontarf]] and [[Cork Constitution]].<ref name="rugbyreferee231017"/><ref name="oldcrescent251015"/><ref name="limerickpost070616"/><ref name="irishtimes070516">{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/joe-carbery-s-class-to-prove-crucial-for-clontarf-s-ail-title-ambitions-1.2638380|title=Joe Carbery's class to prove crucial for Clontarf's AIL title ambitions|publisher=www.irishtimes.com|access-date=5 February 2018|date=7 May 2016}}</ref> On 6 September 2015 Brace made his [[Pro14]] debut when he took charge of a [[2015–16 Pro12|2015–16]] match between [[Cardiff Blues]] and [[Zebre]].<ref name="pro14rugby020118"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pro14rugby.org/preview/preview-cardiff-blues-v-zebre-3/|title=Preview: Cardiff Blues v Zebre|date=5 September 2015}}</ref>
While still working as a community rugby officer for [[Munster Rugby]], Brace attended a schools tournament and was asked to referee a match because they were short of an official. He was encouraged to take up refereeing by [[John Lacey (rugby union)|John Lacey]].<ref name="pro14rugby020118"/> Brace subsequently took charge of matches in both the [[British and Irish Cup]] and [[All-Ireland League (rugby union)|All-Ireland League]]. On 3 April 2015 he refereed the [[2014–15 British and Irish Cup]] final between [[Worcester Warriors]] and [[Doncaster Knights]]. On 7 May 2016 he refereed the 2015–16 All-Ireland League final between [[Clontarf FC|Clontarf]] and [[Cork Constitution]].<ref name="rugbyreferee231017"/><ref name="oldcrescent251015"/><ref name="limerickpost070616"/><ref name="irishtimes070516">{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/joe-carbery-s-class-to-prove-crucial-for-clontarf-s-ail-title-ambitions-1.2638380|title=Joe Carbery's class to prove crucial for Clontarf's AIL title ambitions|publisher=www.irishtimes.com|access-date=5 February 2018|date=7 May 2016|archive-date=6 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206190209/https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/joe-carbery-s-class-to-prove-crucial-for-clontarf-s-ail-title-ambitions-1.2638380|url-status=live}}</ref> On 6 September 2015 Brace made his [[Pro14]] debut when he took charge of a [[2015–16 Pro12|2015–16]] match between [[Cardiff Blues]] and [[Zebre]].<ref name="pro14rugby020118"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pro14rugby.org/preview/preview-cardiff-blues-v-zebre-3/|title=Preview: Cardiff Blues v Zebre|date=5 September 2015}}</ref>


===European competitions===
===European competitions===
On 14 November 2015 Brace made his [[European Rugby Challenge Cup]] debut, taking charge of a [[2015–16 European Rugby Challenge Cup pool stage|2015–16 pool stage]] match between [[Gloucester Rugby|Gloucester]] and [[Zebre]].<ref name="pro14rugby020118"/><ref name="oldcrescent251015"/>
On 14 November 2015 Brace made his [[European Rugby Challenge Cup]] debut, taking charge of a [[2015–16 European Rugby Challenge Cup pool stage|2015–16 pool stage]] match between [[Gloucester Rugby|Gloucester]] and [[Zebre]].<ref name="pro14rugby020118"/><ref name="oldcrescent251015"/>
On 15 October 2016 Brace made his [[European Rugby Champions Cup]] debut, taking charge of a [[2016–17 European Rugby Champions Cup pool stage|2016–17 pool stage]] match between [[Wasps RFC|Wasps]] and Zebre.<ref name="pro14rugby020118"/><ref name="irishrugby141016">{{cite web|url=http://www.irishrugby.ie/mobile/news/38278.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171101013547/http://irishrugby.ie/mobile/news/38278.php|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 November 2017|title=European And B&I Cup Appointments For IRFU Referees|publisher=www.irishrugby.ie|access-date=5 February 2018|date=14 October 2016}}</ref> On 22 April 2017 Brace took charge of the [[2016–17 European Rugby Challenge Cup]] semi-final between [[Stade Rochelais|La Rochelle]] and Gloucester.<ref name="irishrugby190417">{{cite web|url=http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/39529.php#.WncjCahl_IU|title=Brace And Lacey To Referee Challenge Cup Semi-Finals|publisher=www.irishrugby.ie|access-date=4 February 2018|date=19 April 2017}}</ref><ref name="epcrugby220417">{{cite web|url=http://www.epcrugby.com/matchcentre/35644.php|title=Gloucester become first team to win in La Rochelle|publisher=www.epcrugby.com|access-date=5 February 2018|date=22 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703055322/http://www.epcrugby.com/matchcentre/35644.php|archive-date=2017-07-03|url-status=dead}}</ref>
On 15 October 2016 Brace made his [[European Rugby Champions Cup]] debut, taking charge of a [[2016–17 European Rugby Champions Cup pool stage|2016–17 pool stage]] match between [[Wasps RFC|Wasps]] and Zebre.<ref name="pro14rugby020118"/><ref name="irishrugby141016">{{cite web|url=http://www.irishrugby.ie/mobile/news/38278.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171101013547/http://irishrugby.ie/mobile/news/38278.php|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 November 2017|title=European And B&I Cup Appointments For IRFU Referees|publisher=www.irishrugby.ie|access-date=5 February 2018|date=14 October 2016}}</ref> On 22 April 2017 Brace took charge of the [[2016–17 European Rugby Challenge Cup]] semi-final between [[Stade Rochelais|La Rochelle]] and Gloucester.<ref name="irishrugby190417">{{cite web|url=http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/39529.php#.WncjCahl_IU|title=Brace And Lacey To Referee Challenge Cup Semi-Finals|publisher=www.irishrugby.ie|access-date=4 February 2018|date=19 April 2017|archive-date=6 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206181542/http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/39529.php#.WncjCahl_IU|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="epcrugby220417">{{cite web|url=http://www.epcrugby.com/matchcentre/35644.php|title=Gloucester become first team to win in La Rochelle|publisher=www.epcrugby.com|access-date=5 February 2018|date=22 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703055322/http://www.epcrugby.com/matchcentre/35644.php|archive-date=2017-07-03|url-status=dead}}</ref>


===International referee===
===International ===
Brace refereed matches in the [[2016 Six Nations Under 20s Championship]]<ref name="pro14rugby040216">{{cite web|url=https://www.pro14rugby.org/2016/02/04/guinness-pro12-officials-involved-in-2016-rbs-6-nations/|title=GUINNESS PRO12 Officials Involved in 2016 RBS 6 Nations|publisher=www.pro14rugby.org|access-date=5 February 2018|date=4 February 2016}}</ref><ref name="bbc110316">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35778227|title=Six Nations: England U20 16-42 Wales U20|publisher=www.bbc.co.uk|access-date=5 February 2018|date=11 March 2016}}</ref> and at the [[2016 World Rugby Under 20 Championship]],<ref name="rugbyreferee231017"/><ref name="limerickpost070616"/><ref name="irishrugby310316">{{cite web|url=http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/37246.php#.Wncrp6hl_IU|title=Brace Selected As Referee For World Rugby U-20 Championship|publisher=www.irishrugby.ie|access-date=4 February 2018|date=31 March 2016}}</ref> including the third place game between [[Argentina national under-20 rugby union team|Argentina]] and [[South Africa national under-20 rugby union team|South Africa]].
Brace refereed matches in the [[2016 Six Nations Under 20s Championship]]<ref name="pro14rugby040216">{{cite web|url=https://www.pro14rugby.org/2016/02/04/guinness-pro12-officials-involved-in-2016-rbs-6-nations/|title=GUINNESS PRO12 Officials Involved in 2016 RBS 6 Nations|publisher=www.pro14rugby.org|access-date=5 February 2018|date=4 February 2016|archive-date=28 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828232148/http://www.pro14rugby.org/2016/02/04/guinness-pro12-officials-involved-in-2016-rbs-6-nations/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="bbc110316">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35778227|title=Six Nations: England U20 16-42 Wales U20|publisher=www.bbc.co.uk|access-date=5 February 2018|date=11 March 2016|archive-date=4 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181004152927/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35778227|url-status=live}}</ref> and at the [[2016 World Rugby Under 20 Championship]],<ref name="rugbyreferee231017"/><ref name="limerickpost070616"/><ref name="irishrugby310316">{{cite web|url=http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/37246.php#.Wncrp6hl_IU|title=Brace Selected As Referee For World Rugby U-20 Championship|publisher=www.irishrugby.ie|access-date=4 February 2018|date=31 March 2016|archive-date=25 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180125022508/http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/37246.php#.Wncrp6hl_IU|url-status=live}}</ref> including the third place game between [[Argentina national under-20 rugby union team|Argentina]] and [[South Africa national under-20 rugby union team|South Africa]].


In 2017 Brace began refereeing [[Test match (rugby union)|test matches]]. On 28 May [[2017 mid-year rugby union internationals|2017]] Brace took charge of a match between [[England national rugby union team|England]] and the [[Barbarian F.C.|Barbarians]] and on 10 June [[2017 mid-year rugby union internationals|2017]] he took charge of a match between [[Canada national rugby union team|Canada]] and [[Georgia national rugby union team|Georgia]].<ref name="rugbyreferee231017"/> On 1 July 2017 Brace took charge of his first competitive test match, a [[2019 Rugby World Cup – Americas qualification|2019 Rugby World Cup qualifier]] between Canada and the [[United States national rugby union team|United States]].<ref name="usarugby">{{cite web|url=https://www.usarugby.org/match/29498-usa-eagles-v-canada/|title=Rugby World Cup qualification secured by Eagles with Canada Day victory|publisher=www.usarugby.org|access-date=5 February 2018|date=1 July 2017}}</ref> In addition to taking charge of test matches, Brace has also served as a touch judge/assistant referee in both the [[Six Nations Championship]]<ref name="worldrugby1">{{cite web|url=http://officiating.worldrugby.org/?page=appointments&id=45|title=RBS Men's Six Nations 2017|publisher=officiating.worldrugby.org|access-date=5 February 2018}}</ref> and the [[2017 Rugby Championship|Rugby Championship]].<ref name="irishrugby100717">{{cite web|url=http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/40125.php#.Wnizcqhl_IU|title=Referees Lacey And Brace Set For Rugby Championship Duty|publisher=www.irishrugby.ie|access-date=5 February 2018|date=10 July 2017}}</ref> He was appointed to the [[2019 Rugby World Cup]] as a touch judge.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.world.rugby/news/419165?lang=en|title=Match officials selected for RWC 2019: introducing Team 21 |website=World.rugby|access-date=19 December 2020}}</ref> He will referee two matches in the [[2021 Six Nations Championship]].
In 2017 Brace began refereeing [[Test match (rugby union)|test matches]]. On 28 May [[2017 mid-year rugby union internationals|2017]] Brace took charge of a match between [[England national rugby union team|England]] and the [[Barbarian F.C.|Barbarians]] and on 10 June [[2017 mid-year rugby union internationals|2017]] he took charge of a match between [[Canada national rugby union team|Canada]] and [[Georgia national rugby union team|Georgia]].<ref name="rugbyreferee231017"/> In November 2017 Brace took charge of his first competitive test match between England and Samoa, a [[2019 Rugby World Cup – Americas qualification|2019 Rugby World Cup qualifier]] between Canada and the [[United States national rugby union team|United States]].<ref name="usarugby">{{cite web|url=https://www.usarugby.org/match/29498-usa-eagles-v-canada/|title=Rugby World Cup qualification secured by Eagles with Canada Day victory|publisher=www.usarugby.org|access-date=5 February 2018|date=1 July 2017|archive-date=6 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206190243/https://www.usarugby.org/match/29498-usa-eagles-v-canada/|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition to taking charge of test matches, Brace has also served as a referee in both the [[Six Nations Championship]]<ref name="worldrugby1">{{cite web|url=http://officiating.worldrugby.org/?page=appointments&id=45|title=RBS Men's Six Nations 2017|publisher=officiating.worldrugby.org|access-date=5 February 2018|archive-date=7 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207005020/http://officiating.worldrugby.org/?page=appointments&id=45|url-status=live}}</ref> and the [[2017 Rugby Championship|Rugby Championship]].<ref name="irishrugby100717">{{cite web|url=http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/40125.php#.Wnizcqhl_IU|title=Referees Lacey And Brace Set For Rugby Championship Duty|publisher=www.irishrugby.ie|access-date=5 February 2018|date=10 July 2017|archive-date=6 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206181539/http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/40125.php#.Wnizcqhl_IU|url-status=live}}</ref>.He has refereed seven matches in the [[Guinness Six Nations Championship]] and was appointed to the [[2019 Rugby World Cup]] as an assistant referee and referee of the [[2023 Rugby World Cup]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.world.rugby/news/419165?lang=en|title=Match officials selected for RWC 2019: introducing Team 21|website=World.rugby|access-date=19 December 2020|archive-date=7 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190507142022/https://www.world.rugby/news/419165|url-status=live}}</ref>


==Honours==
==Honours==
Line 29: Line 33:
**''Winners'': [[2012 Cup of Nations (rugby union)|2012]]
**''Winners'': [[2012 Cup of Nations (rugby union)|2012]]
;Individual
;Individual
*'''[[Munster Rugby]] Referee of the Year'''
*'''[[Munster Rugby]] Referee of the Year''' 2014

** 2014
⚫
*URC Final Referee 2020, 2022

⚫
*European Challenge Cup Final Referee 2020,2021

⚫
*Autumn Nations Cup Final Referee 2020


*RWC 2019, 2023
⚫
Pro14 Final Referee 2020


⚫
European Challenge Cup Final Referee 2020,2021


⚫
Autumn Nations Cup Final Referee 2020


{{small|'''Source''':<ref name="pro14rugby201217"/><ref name="oldcrescent251015"/> }}
{{small|'''Source''':<ref name="pro14rugby201217"/><ref name="oldcrescent251015"/> }}
Line 42: Line 49:
==Notes==
==Notes==
{{smalldiv|1=
{{smalldiv|1=
* {{note|1|1}} An Andy Brace played [[rugby league]] for [[Treaty City Titans]], Munster and [[Ireland A national rugby league team|Ireland A]] in the 2012 [[Skanska Amateur Four Nations]]. This is possibly the same player.<ref name="rugbyleagueplanet">{{cite web|url=https://www.rugbyleagueplanet.com/wales/574-community-four-nations-wales-dragonhearts-v-ireland-wolfhounds|title=Community Four Nations - Wales Dragonhearts v Ireland Wolfhounds|publisher=www.rugbyleagueplanet.com|access-date=5 February 2018|date=20 July 2012}}</ref>}}
* {{note|1|1}} An Andy Brace played [[rugby league]] for [[Treaty City Titans]], Munster and [[Ireland A national rugby league team|Ireland A]] in the 2012 [[Skanska Amateur Four Nations]]. This is possibly the same player.<ref name="rugbyleagueplanet">{{cite web|url=https://www.rugbyleagueplanet.com/wales/574-community-four-nations-wales-dragonhearts-v-ireland-wolfhounds|title=Community Four Nations - Wales Dragonhearts v Ireland Wolfhounds|publisher=www.rugbyleagueplanet.com|access-date=5 February 2018|date=20 July 2012|archive-date=6 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206131612/https://www.rugbyleagueplanet.com/wales/574-community-four-nations-wales-dragonhearts-v-ireland-wolfhounds|url-status=live}}</ref>}}


==References==
==References==
Line 50: Line 57:


{{2019 Rugby World Cup referees}}
{{2019 Rugby World Cup referees}}
{{2023 Rugby World Cup referees}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Brace, Andrew}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Brace, Andrew}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1988 births]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Belgian rugby union players]]
[[Category:Belgian rugby union players]]
[[Category:Belgium international rugby union players]]
[[Category:Belgium international rugby union players]]
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[[Category:IRFU referees]]
[[Category:IRFU referees]]
[[Category:European Rugby Champions Cup referees]]
[[Category:European Rugby Champions Cup referees]]
[[Category:European Rugby Challenge Cup referees]]
[[Category:EPCR Challenge Cup referees]]
[[Category:United Rugby Championship referees]]
[[Category:United Rugby Championship referees]]
[[Category:Rugby union players from Cardiff]]
[[Category:Rugby union players from Cardiff]]

Latest revision as of 20:35, 16 November 2024

Andrew Brace

Andrew Brace is a rugby union referee and former player. Born in Cardiff, Wales, Brace represents the Irish Rugby Football Union as a referee, and was an international player for Belgium. He currently referees in the URC, European Rugby Challenge Cup, European Rugby Champions Cup and at test match level.

Early life

[edit]

Brace was born in Cardiff, Wales. He moved between Ireland and Wales throughout his early life. He started playing rugby union in Cardiff when he was 12. In his youth Brace also played the violin. He is a grade eight violinist. His violin teacher was the mother of Gethin Jones.[1][2] Between 2006 and 2009 Brace attended the University of St Mark & St John where he gained a BA in sports science and coaching. Between 2010 and 2017 Brace worked as a community rugby officer for Munster Rugby. He previously worked as a community development officer for Cardiff Blues.[3][4] Brace continued working as a community rugby officer until 2017 when, together with George Clancy, John Lacey and Joy Neville he was one of seven referees offered professional contracts by the IRFU.[5]

Playing career

[edit]

Clubs

[edit]

While working as a community rugby officer for Munster Rugby, Brace also played for Old Crescent.[Note 1][5][6][7][8][9][10]

Belgium

[edit]

While playing for Old Crescent, Brace was contacted by an agent to play for the Belgium national team. Brace qualified to represent Belgium through his father's family. He subsequently helped Belgium win the 2012 Emirates Cup of Nations. He also played for Belgium in the 2012–14 European Nations Cup First Division. His international career ended after he suffered a run of injuries.[1][5][7] Brace also played for the Belgium sevens team.[11]

Refereeing career

[edit]

Early years

[edit]

While still working as a community rugby officer for Munster Rugby, Brace attended a schools tournament and was asked to referee a match because they were short of an official. He was encouraged to take up refereeing by John Lacey.[2] Brace subsequently took charge of matches in both the British and Irish Cup and All-Ireland League. On 3 April 2015 he refereed the 2014–15 British and Irish Cup final between Worcester Warriors and Doncaster Knights. On 7 May 2016 he refereed the 2015–16 All-Ireland League final between Clontarf and Cork Constitution.[5][6][8][12] On 6 September 2015 Brace made his Pro14 debut when he took charge of a 2015–16 match between Cardiff Blues and Zebre.[2][13]

European competitions

[edit]

On 14 November 2015 Brace made his European Rugby Challenge Cup debut, taking charge of a 2015–16 pool stage match between Gloucester and Zebre.[2][6] On 15 October 2016 Brace made his European Rugby Champions Cup debut, taking charge of a 2016–17 pool stage match between Wasps and Zebre.[2][14] On 22 April 2017 Brace took charge of the 2016–17 European Rugby Challenge Cup semi-final between La Rochelle and Gloucester.[15][16]

International

[edit]

Brace refereed matches in the 2016 Six Nations Under 20s Championship[17][18] and at the 2016 World Rugby Under 20 Championship,[5][8][19] including the third place game between Argentina and South Africa.

In 2017 Brace began refereeing test matches. On 28 May 2017 Brace took charge of a match between England and the Barbarians and on 10 June 2017 he took charge of a match between Canada and Georgia.[5] In November 2017 Brace took charge of his first competitive test match between England and Samoa, a 2019 Rugby World Cup qualifier between Canada and the United States.[20] In addition to taking charge of test matches, Brace has also served as a referee in both the Six Nations Championship[21] and the Rugby Championship.[22].He has refereed seven matches in the Guinness Six Nations Championship and was appointed to the 2019 Rugby World Cup as an assistant referee and referee of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.[23]

Honours

[edit]
Belgium
  • Emirates Cup of Nations
Individual
  • URC Final Referee 2020, 2022
  • European Challenge Cup Final Referee 2020,2021
  • Autumn Nations Cup Final Referee 2020
  • RWC 2019, 2023


Source:[1][6]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Getting to know: Andrew Brace". www.pro14rugby.org. 20 December 2017. Archived from the original on 11 June 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Andrew Brace Q&A". www.pro14rugby.org. 2 January 2018. Archived from the original on 9 December 2019. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
  3. ^ "Andrew Brace". www.linkedin.com. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  4. ^ "My job in Munster Andy Brace Community Rugby Officer". www.independent.ie. 21 November 2014. Archived from the original on 6 February 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  5. ^ a b c d e f "Seven Irish referees awarded with professional contracts". rugbyreferee.net. 23 October 2017. Archived from the original on 29 December 2017. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  6. ^ a b c d "Old Crescent's Andy Brace will referee European Challenge Cup clash between Gloucester and Zebre". www.oldcrescentrfc.com. 25 October 2015. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
  7. ^ a b "Le groupe des Diables pour Dubaï" (in French). www.sportkipik.be. 29 November 2012. Archived from the original on 28 August 2017. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
  8. ^ a b c "Rugby – Old Crescent's Brace to referee at U/20 World Championships". www.limerickpost.ie. 7 June 2016. Archived from the original on 6 February 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  9. ^ "2010 Meteor Munster Rugby Sevens". www.sportsfile.com. 21 August 2010. Archived from the original on 6 February 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  10. ^ "2010 Meteor Munster Rugby Sevens Photos". www.sportsfile.com. 21 August 2010. Archived from the original on 6 February 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  11. ^ "IRFU Referees Continue To Progress Through The Ranks". www.irishrugby.ie. 4 June 2015. Archived from the original on 26 March 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  12. ^ "Joe Carbery's class to prove crucial for Clontarf's AIL title ambitions". www.irishtimes.com. 7 May 2016. Archived from the original on 6 February 2018. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  13. ^ "Preview: Cardiff Blues v Zebre". 5 September 2015.
  14. ^ "European And B&I Cup Appointments For IRFU Referees". www.irishrugby.ie. 14 October 2016. Archived from the original on 1 November 2017. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  15. ^ "Brace And Lacey To Referee Challenge Cup Semi-Finals". www.irishrugby.ie. 19 April 2017. Archived from the original on 6 February 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  16. ^ "Gloucester become first team to win in La Rochelle". www.epcrugby.com. 22 April 2017. Archived from the original on 3 July 2017. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  17. ^ "GUINNESS PRO12 Officials Involved in 2016 RBS 6 Nations". www.pro14rugby.org. 4 February 2016. Archived from the original on 28 August 2017. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  18. ^ "Six Nations: England U20 16-42 Wales U20". www.bbc.co.uk. 11 March 2016. Archived from the original on 4 October 2018. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  19. ^ "Brace Selected As Referee For World Rugby U-20 Championship". www.irishrugby.ie. 31 March 2016. Archived from the original on 25 January 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  20. ^ "Rugby World Cup qualification secured by Eagles with Canada Day victory". www.usarugby.org. 1 July 2017. Archived from the original on 6 February 2018. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  21. ^ "RBS Men's Six Nations 2017". officiating.worldrugby.org. Archived from the original on 7 February 2018. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  22. ^ "Referees Lacey And Brace Set For Rugby Championship Duty". www.irishrugby.ie. 10 July 2017. Archived from the original on 6 February 2018. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  23. ^ "Match officials selected for RWC 2019: introducing Team 21". World.rugby. Archived from the original on 7 May 2019. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  24. ^ "Community Four Nations - Wales Dragonhearts v Ireland Wolfhounds". www.rugbyleagueplanet.com. 20 July 2012. Archived from the original on 6 February 2018. Retrieved 5 February 2018.


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