JP Doyle walked off the pitch at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum after refereeing the 2021 Major League Rugby Final, knowing that it could be his last game as a professional referee. If the stadium that has twice hosted the Olympic Games, the Super Bowl, and the World Series is the venue for his professional swan-song, Doyle, 42, is very relaxed about it.
He is preparing to move his wife and two young children to Scotland to start a new life, finding himself in the same position he was when made redundant by the RFU last August.
He doesn’t rule out returning to America next year, but it would have to fit into the jobs he and his wife have found teaching at Craigclowan Prep School in Perth.
“Potentially, I am in a position where I could go back to the US, but I’d have to work it out with a million different factors and everything else,” said Doyle. “The genuine answer is I don’t know. I am in the position that I was in before. Let’s see how things go over the next wee while.
“That is maybe how I felt coming off after the Major League Rugby final, maybe that’s it, or maybe it’s not. But it is great not to know that you are not making some big arse deal out of it.
“It either was, or it wasn’t. If it was, what a wonderful game to finish on, and if it wasn’t, we’ll go again. You are only a god damn ref. Get on with it.
“Sometimes, you have to accept where your place in things is. If there is more to come, wouldn’t that be cool and brilliant, but if there isn’t, that’s okay. I’ve had a run.”
The Dubliner had officiated 180 Premiership games before he was summarily sacked by the RFU.
But he says he couldn’t afford to feel sorry for himself as he had a young family to feed – not that he would have anyway.
Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin August 22, 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin August 22, 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Holders Kent are back in business
KENT began their defence of the Bill Beaumont Cup with a thrilling victory over Hampshire.
Lightning Bo bags 'amazing' fab four
RAPID winger Bo Westcombe-Evans stormed her way to an incredible four tries to help Loughborough Lightning secure maximum points over their nearest league rivals, Harlequins.
'Privilege to play in Jonny's 10 jersey'
ACHIEVING his boyhood dream of replicating the highs of Jonny Wilkinson in No.10 Newcastle's shirt has led to Brett Connon extending his stay at the Premiership's struggling side.
Best I've felt for six years - Roux
QUINN Roux is feeling in the best shape of his life but the former Ireland international admits it'll be a stretch for him to be around at Bath for as long as Johann van Graan.
Lake's at double to sink the Dragons
OSPREYS maximum claimed points to keep alive their mathematical hopes of making the playoffs while also clinching the Welsh Shield.
Falcons' misery but hosts restore pride
THE battle of the battered ended with Newcastle becoming the third team to go through a Premiership campaign without a victory and generGloucester ating cheers rather than jeers.
It's away day delight as Sharks bite Sarries
SALE ended their StoneX curse to reach the Premiership play-offs for a second straight season and deny Saracens a home semi-final courtesy of an almighty performance from their beefy back row.
Big win but it's not enough for Bears
BRISTOL Bears ended their season in style with a seven-try victory against Harlequins, but missed out on a spot in the play-offs after Sale's win at Saracens.
Ruthless Bath crush Saints on perfect day
BATH have been in the top four all season and on a tense super afternoon, Saturday with play-off places at stake, they made no mistake against an understrength and underwhelming Saints XV.
Ex-Wasps buzzing for European glory
THIBAUD Flament has risen from Loughborough University's fifth team to become a French international with the intention of next weekend becoming a Champions Cup winner again.