Rugby World Cup referee announces immediate retirement ahead of final match

Welsh referee Ben Whitehouse is bringing his officiating career to an end after landing a new role with the Wales national team.

The 36-year-old will hang up his whistle following Saturday's United Rugby Championship clash between Ospreys and Dragons.

He will then join Steve Tandy's Wales coaching staff on a full-time basis.

It brings an end to a career that has taken Whitehouse from domestic rugby to the biggest stage of all.

From the whistle to the Wales coaching box

Whitehouse will work with Wales players and coaches on rugby laws, discipline and decision-making.

He has already spent time working with Tandy's squad, but his new role will be permanent.

Tandy said: "Ben's had a big impact already in his work with us so far this year and it's great to now make that a more formal role."

Whitehouse added: "I'm incredibly proud to be joining the team now full-time as a specialist coach."

Whitehouse began refereeing at just 19 during the 2009/10 season.

He made his Pro12 debut in November 2014 and went on to referee more than 100 URC matches.

His international career included nine Tests as referee and 60 appointments as television match official.

He also worked at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, including the Argentina v New Zealand semi-final.

The son of former international referee Nigel Whitehouse now faces a very different challenge.

Instead of making the big calls, he'll be helping Wales avoid falling foul of them.

His first major assignment in the new role comes during November's Nations Championship fixtures against Japan, New Zealand and Australia.

World Rugby has confirmed the referees for November's Nations Championship.

Sixteen referees from nine nations will take charge of 18 matches across three weekends.

Here is the full list of appointments.

The referees for the Nations Championship Finals Weekend, held from 27–29 November, will be confirmed on 23 November.