Who is France vs England referee Jaco Peyper? Controversial rugby official appointed for Six Nations final game

THE man who refereed the first match of this year’s Six Nations is refereeing the last match of this year’s Six Nations.

South African Jaco Peyper took charge of Ireland’s 29-7 win over Wales in Dublin which got the ball rolling.

Getty Images – GettyJaco Peyper will take charge of Ireland vs Wales[/caption]

And the finale between France and England will be in the hands of the experienced official.

But with that experience has come controversy during his lengthy career.

Who is Jaco Peyper?

Jaco Peyper was born in Bloemfontein in 1980.

In 2008, he made his Super Rugby debut while still in his 20s, before entering the international scene during Scotland’s 2012 tour of Oceania.

Peyper took charge of the Scots’ 9-6 win over Australia, their 37-25 win over Fiji and their 17-16 victory over Tonga.

He was chosen to officiate in both the 2015 and the 2019 Rugby World Cups.

Outside of rugby, he is a trained lawyer and he and his wife Zenobia have two children together.

Why has Jaco Peyper caused controversy?

Jaco Peyper caused controversy during another France match, the 2019 World Cup quarter-final against Wales.

Peyper sent off France lock Sebastien Vahaamahina for a brutal elbow on Aaron Wainwright.

However, after the match he was pictured laughing with Wales fans while performing an elbow gesture.

As a result, World Rugby launched an investigation and opted not to select Peyper for the rest of the tournament, labelling the gesture “inappropriate”.

PA:Press AssociationPeyper joking about his dismissal of Sebastien Vahaamahina saw him dropped from the 2019 Rugby World Cup officials list[/caption]