Mike Adamson named in Guinness PRO14 Elite Referee Squad for 2017/18

Scottish Rugby referee Mike Adamson has been included in the 13-man Guinness PRO14 Elite Referee panel for the upcoming season, which kicks off this weekend.For Round 1 of the competition, Adamson will officiate Dragons v Leinster on Saturday at Rodney Parade, marking his ninth referee appearance in the league following his debut in November 2016.Scottish Rugby Referee Commissioner, Tappe Henning, congratulated Adamson on his appointment: “Mike is an excellent referee whose hard work on and off the pitch has paid off.His appointment highlights the great work Scottish Rugby is doing to support Scottish referees and I know Mike will benefit and thrive from this experience over the course of the 2017/18 season.”In total, the Elite Referee Squad contains 10 international referees such as Nigel Owens, John Lacey and Marius Mitrea, as the Championship seeks to set higher standards under the guidance of Elite Referee Manager Greg Garner.Garner has also confirmed appointments of two SA Rugby officials as the Guinness PRO14 welcomes South African Franchises Southern Kings and Cheetahs ahead of an historic campaign for the competition.He said: “I’m delighted to name such a strong squad of referees ahead of the 2017/18 Guinness PRO14 season.”The Championship has a reputation for attractive rugby and I know the World Rugby statistics show that. Referees play an important part in ensuring Positive Play but they are greatly helped by coaches and players who have the ambition to play exciting rugby.I’m very confident that this group can continue to set new standards and I wish them all the very best of luck ahead of such a land mark campaign for the Guinness PRO14.”