Why Northampton v Leicester Gallagher PREM clash was held up after unusual referee incident - 'I can't carry on'

Rugby referee Luke Pearce was replaced less than 10 minutes into the Gallagher PREM clash between Northampton Saints and Leicester Tigers after picking up an injury. Pearce spoke over his ref mic, confirming that his calf was cramping. Pearce was replaced by assistant referee Alex Thomas for the remainder of the match, which Saints edged out Tigers 32-26 in a pulsating encounter.

'I can't carry on' - Rare scenes as Northampton v Leicester clash sees ref change

Video credit: TNT Sports

In one of the more unusual events to occur in Gallagher PREM rugby, referee Luke Pearce was forced to depart whilst officiating Northampton Saints against Leicester Tigers on Saturday due to an injury he sustained during the game.

The official blew his whistle eight minutes into the Gallagher PREM clash, live on TNT Sports, notifying both sets of players and fellow officials that his calf was cramping.

"Sorry boys, I've got to change, my calf," Pearce was heard saying over his ref mic.

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"I'm very sorry, my calf is cramping up, I can't carry on, Alex will continue."

Pearce was applauded by the crowd at Franklin's Gardens as he left the pitch.

He was replaced by Alex Thomas, who was himself once forced to withdraw from a Championship game late last year after being struck by a clearance kick.

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A break in play before Pearce's withdrawal saw him have some treatment on his calf, shortly before the five-minute mark.

"In the middle of all that, Luke Pearce took a little bit of treatment on a calf," said TNT Sports' Nick Mullins on commentary.

"He spent a lot of time on a plane coming back from Chile not so long ago."

When it became clear that Pearce was departing, Mullins said: "That is a real shame for Luke Pearce, I know how much he was looking forward to being involved in the Gallagher PREM today."

Alongside Mullins was Chris Ashton, who joked: "Didn't warm up properly, that was the problem."

The decision for Thomas to replace Pearce was the responsibility of the match organiser, in this event being the PREM.

If the competition did not do so, then the choice of replacement would have been Pearce's.

In law 6.2, World Rugby states that: "If the referee is unable to complete the match, the referee’s replacement is appointed according to the instructions of the match organiser.

"If the match organiser has given no instructions, the referee appoints a replacement. If the referee cannot do so, the home team appoints a replacement."

It was a chaotic start to the game at Franklin's Gardens, and Pearce had already had to temporarily pause play earlier in the tie before he left the pitch as his ref mic stopped working.

After having work done on his calf, he jogged over to a lineout, where he was unable to hear his fellow officials due to the faulty mic.

"They've taken the batteries out of his referee's mic to fix his calf I think, so we're going to have another delay now," joked Ben Kay.

Saints ended up edging out Tigers 32-26 in a pulsating encounter.

The 2023/24 champions Saints survived a raucous fightback from Gloucester last weekend to pick up their first win.

After a defeat to Bristol on the opening weekend, Leicester earned their first win last weekend against Harlequins, while in the late game, Bath overcame Gloucester at The Rec.

Watch and stream the Gallagher PREM, Quilter Nations Series and Premiership Women's Rugby live on TNT Sports and discovery+

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