Full name Christophe David Berdos
Born
April 17, 1970, Tarbes
Current age 54 years 9 days
Other Referee
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French referee Christophe Berdos began officiating in 1988 and went on to make his international bow at the Under-19 World Championships in 2003 before going on to take charge of his first full Test match between Tonga and Samoa in 2006.
He was appointed as a touch judge for the pool stages of 2007 Rugby World Cup in France and later took charge of world champions South Africa's clash against the Barbarians in December 2007. His debut in the Six Nations Championship came in February 2008, overseeing Ireland's 34-14 win over Scotland at Croke Park.
Berdos' officiating came firmly under the spotlight when he took charge of the second Test between the British & Irish Lions and South Africa in 2009. In a highly-charged game, Springbok flank Schalk Burger was yellow-carded for making contact with the eye-area of Lions wing Luke Fitzgerald. The act later earned Burger an eight-week ban but many felt at the time that Berdos should have instead produced a straight red.
The match also saw the Frenchman award the hosts a penalty in the dying stages as Ronan O'Gara took out Fourie du Preez in the air while challenging for a high kick and Morne Steyn stepped up to kick an injury-time penalty for South Africa to win the match and the series.
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