I've only just twigged that the referee for the England v Italy Six Nations game is none other than former Wasps Scrum-Half Nic Berry (yes late to the party probably as all refs were announced ages ago).
I knew he had risen quickly through the Super Rugby ranks as a referee but not sure I had ever realised he was refereeing internationally. Really pleased to see though, given his enforced retirement from playing for us, as he was not only a great player but a really good guy with a good eye for the laws (obviously important as a referee).
Am very pro former players becoming referees. I think it gives them an edge over non-player refs as they potentially have a better understanding of flow and ebb to games as well as some of the more nitty-gritty technicalities on pitch. Equally I would imagine it makes them better at spotting those little niggly infringements that players make resulting in, one would hope, better discipline enforcement on pitch. Just an opinion mind.