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England deny conflict of interest over training session referee

Referee Marius van der Westhuizen
Image: Marius van der Westhuizen will run the line for England's game with Grand Slam-chasing Ireland

England have denied a conflict of interest after one of the officials for their Six Nations clash with Ireland refereed a squad training session on Tuesday.

Marius van der Westhuizen will run one of the touchlines at Twickenham on Saturday with Angus Gardner taking charge of a match that could yield a Grand Slam for Joe Schmidt's newly-crowned champions.

World Rugby permits referees to assist players and coaches with their understanding of the laws and their interpretation, and as a result an official oversees live training at England's Surrey training base on a weekly basis.

It is forbidden for an official to help a team if they are to referee them during the tournament, but as Van der Westhuizen will act as an assistant referee only, no rule has been broken.

This had been long in the pipeline. It is all part of understanding different referees, how they referee things.
Paul Gustard

Asked if using the South African was appropriate given his presence at Twickenham on Saturday, defence coach Paul Gustard said: "Why wouldn't it be?

"So they [Ireland] will be questioning his integrity? You could see it the other way, couldn't you? What if it goes against us?

"He's an international referee. He is one of the best referees. You're asking someone to come in here and assist in training, give his viewpoint on things.

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 during the NatWest Six Nations match between France and England at Stade de France on March 10, 2018 in Paris, France.
Image: England's hopes of a third successive Six Nations title were ended by defeat in Paris last Saturday

"It's no different to if someone from Ireland rang up to give his viewpoint on things. They have the same access. I see no issue with it at all.

"This had been long in the pipeline. It is all part of understanding different referees, how they referee things.

"We have a relationship with the English referees that assist us. The opportunity to get other foreign referees in to give their viewpoint in how they see things is important for our growth as a squad."

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At Twickenham England will attempt to outwit the mastermind who oversaw their own defence for four years and is now performing the same role with success for Ireland.

Andy Farrell worked under Stuart Lancaster, whose expertise has revived Leinster's fortunes, before the pair headed across the Irish Sea in the wake of the failed 2015 World Cup campaign.

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