Brace removed from Toulouse v Exeter fixture over fear of personal safety

Referee Andrew Brace has been relieved of his officiating duties in the Toulouse vs Exeter Chiefs match scheduled for next Sunday after concerns have surfaced over his well-being.

Brace took charge of the Autumn Nations Cup ‘final’ last weekend, when England took on France, wherein transpired a number of controversial decisions which sparked some ugliness on certain online platforms.

England defeated France in a thrilling encounter at Twickenham, the final whistle sounding with the score at 22-19.

French coach Fabien Galthie was scathing in the wake of the clash, stating that "the game was won by decisions not actions... losing because of decisions is hard".

In addition, France’s defence coach Shaun Edwards said:

"We'd like to have a bit of an explanation about the knock-on in the last tackle which led to a try.

"There was a knock-on in the lead-up. The referees can't see everything and neither can the touch judges but we were a little bit disappointed... the TMO could have interfered in that decision."

Unfortunately, Brace has been the object of some merciless online attacks by angry fans, some of whom even taking it upon themselves to post defamatory remarks on the obituary of Brace’s deceased father.

Some of the remarks have been so threatening in nature that the European Professional Club Rugby has decided it would be against their better judgment to expect Brace to referee in France next weekend.

An EPCR spokesperson told Telegraph Sport: "The Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge Cup Match Officials selection committee, chaired by Joel Jutge, EPCR’s Head of Match Officials, decided that due to the personal nature of some of the criticism levelled at Andrew Brace following last weekend’s Autumn Nations Cup match between England and France, it would be prudent on this occasion to make the appointment changes.

"EPCR and the selection committee regard Andrew Brace as a highly-talented match official, and with his welfare and development as a referee to the fore, this course of action was deemed to be appropriate in the circumstances."

The 32 year-old Brace will now instead take charge of Wasps vs Montpellier at the Ricoh Arena on 18 December.