Dave Pearson has been appointed as the Six Nations' first elite referee coach

Six Nations' organisers have confirmed English official Dave Pearson as their first elite referee coach.

Pearson has been backed in his new position by Ed Morrison, the Rugby Football Union's head of professional referee development. "While never anticipating Dave Pearson moving from active refereeing at this early stage, the referee coaching role within the Six Nations affords him a wonderful opportunity move to the next stage of his working life," said 1995 World Cup final referee Morrison. "Dave brings with him a wealth of refereeing knowledge, having operated at the highest level of the game for some years."