David McHugh

Who is David McHugh?

David McHugh is an international Rugby Union Test referee. Born in Limerick, Ireland and educated at St Munchin's College, McHugh has refereed matches at the 1995, 1999 and 2003 Rugby World Cups, as well as refereeing the finals of the 1996 and 2001 Heineken Cup. He officiated at his first international game in 1994.

McHugh hit the headlines in August 2002 when a drunk South African fan, Pieter Van Zyl, ran onto the pitch and assaulted him during the Tri Nations match between South Africa and New Zealand in Durban. Upon the attack New Zealand Captain, Richie McCaw, and South Africa's AJ Venter, tackled the drunk invader to the ground before he was dragged away by security. McHugh was left with a dislocated shoulder and had to be carried off on a stretcher. van Zyl was convicted of trespassing and assault, and was sentenced to three months in jail, fined R3000, and banned from attending all rugby matches in South Africa for life. Having twice come on as a replacement referee in 2001, he is the only referee ever to have both replaced another referee and have been replaced during a Test match. He is a committee member of the rugby sevens club, Shamrock Warriors RFC.