Owen Doyle: Referee Luke Pearce let rugby do the talking at the Aviva. More of that, please

Dr Jekyll or Mr Hyde? Will the real Luke Pearce please stand up.

Thankfully, on Friday evening, the Englishman brought the medic’s approach to his performance rather than the good doctor’s alter ego. When any referee is overly loquacious – as Pearce can be – they inevitably become the centre of attention. On this occasion, the referee was much quieter than he often is, particularly in the English Premiership. It is a significant problem for World Rugby when referees take one approach in club competitions and a markedly different one when appointed by World Rugby to officiate in Test matches