LONDON (AP) World Rugby has removed Marius van der Westhuizen as assistant referee for the Six Nations game between England and Ireland on Saturday because the South African attended an England training session this week.
The governing body says it ''takes responsibility for this oversight and has taken the proactive decision to stand Marius down to avoid any additional unfair and unnecessary conjecture.''
Van der Westhuizen will be replaced by Nigel Owens.
In a statement released Thursday, World Rugby said although it encourages more dialogue and collaboration between match officials and teams, Van der Westhuizen should not have attended the training session on Tuesday because he was due to be an official at the Twickenham match.
Ireland has already won the Six Nations and will complete the Grand Slam if it beats England.
