Referee Mike Adamson will take charge of his first Guinness Six Nations match on Saturday as England host Italy at Twickenham.
Adamson – who was an assistant referee in the contest between Italy and France in Round 1 – follows in the footsteps of Nigel Owens, whose first Championship match was also England v Italy back in 2007 in a game that resulted in a 20-7 win for the hosts.
Both sides are seeking their first victory of the current campaign after losing home matches in Round 1, while England will hope to maintain their strong record against the Azzurri – who have never beaten them in the Championship.
Adamson, a former sevens international as a player, will become the first Scot to referee a Guinness Six Nations in 19 years when he blows the whistle at Twickenham on Saturday afternoon.
Veteran French official Romain Poite and Ben Blain are the assistants, while Ireland’s Joy Neville is the TMO.
Matthew Carley is back for his second match in two weeks later on Saturday afternoon as he heads to Edinburgh for Scotland’s home game with Wales.
Carley was in charge of France’s 50-10 success at Italy last week and is joined by assistants Pascal Gauzere and Andrea Piardi, while Karl Dickon is the TMO.
Finally, on Sunday Luke Pearce will be in Dublin to oversee Ireland’s home clash with France as Les Bleus seek their first win at the Aviva Stadium in a decade.
Wayne Barnes – who refereed Ireland’s Round 1 defeat to Wales – and Christophe Ridley will be the assistants, while Tom Foley is the TMO.
Referee appointments for Round 2 of the 2021 Guinness Six Nations:
England v Italy (Twickenham Stadium, London; Saturday 13 February 2021 – 2.15pm) Referee: Mike Adamson (Scotland) Assistant Referee 1: Romain Poite (France) Assistant Referee 2: Ben Blain (Scotland) TMO: Joy Neville (Ireland)
Scotland v Wales (BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh; Saturday 13 February 2021 – 4.45pm) Referee: Matthew Carley (England) Assistant Referee 1: Pascal Gauzere (France) Assistant Referee 2: Andrea Piardi (Italy) TMO: Karl Dickson (England)
Ireland v France (Aviva Stadium, Dublin; Sunday 14 February 2021 – 3pm) Referee: Luke Pearce (England) Assistant Referee 1: Wayne Barnes (England) Assistant Referee 2: Christophe Ridley (England) TMO: Tom Foley (England)
