Brian Campsall is a former international rugby union referee and PE teacher from West Yorkshire. Brian officiated at the highest level of the sport, with 12 international matches, including at the Five Nations fixture and Rugby World Cup appointments. He also refereed the semi-finals in both the Heineken Cup and European Challenge Cup, two Pilkington Cup finals and the World Club Final -the only fixture of its kind ever played. He also refereed the ‘Clash of the Codes’ match at Twickenham in 1996 between Wigan Warriors and Bath, a landmark event that helped strengthen relations between rugby league and rugby union.
Brian studied Physical Education at Carnegie College, graduating in 1970, before progressing into his distinguished refereeing career. His achievements established him as one of the leading officials in the game during his era.
Following his on-field career, Brian continued to contribute to rugby through senior roles with the Rugby Football Union, serving as Professional Referee Development Manager from 2001 to 2019, Referee Technical Adviser to England, and as an RFU Citing Commissioner. As Head Coach within the professional game match officials’ team, he oversaw the development of referees reaching Tier 1 international status, including Wayne Barnes, and was part of the England coaching staff during the 2007 Rugby World Cup campaign, where England finished as runners-up. He remains actively involved in the elite game, working with the RFU to coach emerging referees and act as a Citing Officer across Premiership, Championship and European competitions.
1970
2026
