Chris White and Tony Spreadbury were not exactly devastated to be denied officiating duties at the World Cup final, given that their team was taking part.

But for the RFU to have been given three of the final eight referee appointments was a real accolade. Bristol’s chorister ref, Ton Spreadbury took charge of the quarter final clash between New Zealand and South Africa and Chris White from Cheltenham was in the middle for the first semi final between New Zealand and Australia.
Once England had secured their place in the final Chris was appointed to the third/fourth play off between New Zealand and France.

Colin High, the RFU’s Elite Referee Manager, who was on duty as an assessor for the IRB, said, “The standard of refereeing was universally recognised as being the best ever and for Tony and Chris to be in the top half dozen referees of a group like this speaks volumes. Both said that refereeing in the Zurich Premiership was the ideal training ground for the World Cup tournament.”