Karl Dickson to become a professional referee

Karl Dickson will join the Rugby Football Union’s Professional Game Match Officials Team (PGMOT) next season following his retirement from Harlequins.

The 34-year-old began his refereeing qualifications in January 2014 and continued to play for Harlequins while gaining experience officiating.

He has since referred two A-League semi-finals, Exeter v Newcastle in 2016 and Gloucester v Wasps in 2017 and made his debut in the Championship when London Irish clashed with Richmond. Three days later he was involved in Big Game 9 where Harlequins played Gloucester in the Aviva Premiership at Twickenham.

After 169 appearances for Harlequins scrum-half Dickson announced his retirement in April and joins the PGMOT in July.

Dickson said: “Over the last two years anytime that I have had - a free Saturday or Sunday or even during the week - I would referee as many games as possible to get as much practice as I could.  Every game you learn something new and gain increasing match sharpness.