Referee calls time on career following Rugby League World Cup

Referee Benjamin Casty has retired from the game.

Casty has been involved in the sport for 14 years and was one of the officials selected at the recent Rugby League World Cup in England.

The Frenchman was in the middle for Ireland’s clash with Jamaica at Headingley and he also officiated England Women in their group match against Papua New Guinea, which also took place at the home of Leeds Rhinos.

Speaking with French publication L’Independant, Casty spoke about his professional refereeing career.

He said: “I refereed from 2008 to 2022 and I’m proud of my career and I think I conducted it with seriousness and rigour, always relying on videos to improve my knowledge of the game and the characteristics of the teams I refereed.

“I will keep, as memorable memories, my first international match, a France-England senior game in Perpignan and, of course, the last final of the French championship in Narbonne between Limoux and Carcassonne.

“I want, of course, to thank the French rugby federation which trusted me as well as my colleagues from Sdis de l’Aude who agreed to adapt their holidays or their guards so that I can satisfy my passion for refereeing, especially during the World Cup.”

Casty certainly led an impressive career, but he also faced adversity when he was knocked unconscious by a dissenting player during a 2017 junior cup semi-final in France – which resulted in a lifetime ban for Hedi Ouedjdi.