Richard Cockerill ‘hired and fired’ Pro14 semi-final referee

But Edinburgh coach rates former player Frank Murphy as a match official

Referee Frank Murphy, right, will take charge of Edinburgh's Pro14 semi-final against Ulster. Picture: Michael Steele/Getty Images

Edinburgh coach Richard Cockerill insists he is comfortable with the decision to appoint an Irish referee for Saturday night’s Guinness Pro14 semi-final against Ulster at BT Murrayfield.

Cockerill has history with Frank Murphy, the former Ireland A scrum-half, who he signed for Leicester in 2006 before jettisoning him two years later.

Asked if he and the 35-year-old match official were friends now, Cockerill smiled and said: “No, I wouldn’t say that. You know my relations with players. I hired him and then fired him, so maybe he’s happy with me and unhappy with me in equal measure. He started in the Premiership final with Leicester that we won against Gloucester in 2007, so he’s got some happy memories.”

Edinburgh head coach Richard Cockerill 'hired and fired' Frank Murphy. Picture: Mark Scates/SNS

Former Munster player Murphy moved on to Connacht then became a referee in 2015.

Cockerill added: “Frank has transitioned to refereeing very well; he’s progressed over the last 24 months into a very good referee. And the two referees that have been picked this weekend [for the semis] are the two form referees.

“[Pro14 referee boss] Greg Garner rang me about that, asked me if I had an issue with an Irishman refereeing the game, and I just said ‘Is he the best referee?’ Frank’s a good referee.” Edinburgh have named a strong team packed with Scotland internationalists for the semi-final, with Ben Toolis returning to partner Grant Gilchrist in the second row.