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The official set to oversee Wales' Six Nations encounter with France this weekend was previously embroiled in a controversy involving a player who made a chilling throat-slitting gesture towards an opponent. Rewind to March 2023 and referee James Doleman, 34, was officiating a Super Rugby fixture between the Melbourne Rebels and the Hurricanes, during which New Zealand flanker Ardie Savea produced the disturbing motion.

The incident unfolded just before the interval when a massive brawl erupted. Hurricanes star Dane Coles and Rebels' Josh Canham confronted one another as tempers flared. Players from both teams then attempted to defuse the situation. However, matters escalated when Savea floored Rebels fly-half Carter Gordon, sparking a verbal confrontation before Gordon departed.

Following discussions with fellow officials Paul Williams and Graham Cooper, Doleman deemed the initial clash between Canham and Coles as a "push and shove" but determined that Savea had escalated the confrontation.

Savea, who had already been penalised, was shown a yellow card. As the 32-year-old departed the pitch, Rebels scrum-half Ryan Louwrens sarcastically applauded him off.

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The incident prompted Savea to perform his notorious throat-slitting gesture towards Louwrens. The commentary team was left stunned, with Doleman's microphone picking up the moment someone shouted: "He's threatening to f*****g kill him, he's threatening to kill him."

Savea issued an apology following the match, telling Sky Sports: "I can understand the fans are furious with the gesture that I made. It's just a heat of the moment kind of thing, you know. It's footy, but I understand kids are watching us.

"We're in the heat of the moment and that's out of character for me, so I put my hand up first and apologise for that. I've got to be better, we're trying to clean up the game. I understand... there's no excuse for me, I've got to be better."

New Zealand-born Doleman made his Six Nations debut in 2023 aged just 31, taking charge of England's second-round fixture with Italy. Discussing his appointment, he told the South China Morning Post: "It's one of those goals as a referee. Aside from the World Cup, the Six Nations is the pinnacle.

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"Being involved in a tournament like that, with the history, coming from New Zealand, the fans up north make the Six Nations very special. At the end of the day, referees get into refereeing because we're fans of rugby. The reason I do it is to be involved in those occasions."

Wales are poised to shake up their front-row, back-row and midfield as they aim to recover from a crushing loss to England by taking on title favourites France this weekend. The match against Les Bleus is set to kick-off at the Principality Stadium at 3.10pm on Sunday.