Mike Titcomb, a top club and Test rugby referee who served on the international panel for 10 years, has died at the age of 75.
Titcomb became the youngest referee at 32-years-old to take charge of an international game in 1966 when Wales took on Scotland. After that Mike went on to take charge of nine internationals involving all the major touring nations.
He also officiated in five England trials, three Barbarian fixtures and 26 county matches, including three finals. He also became the only Englishman to referee England in what was recognised as a full international against a President's XV in the RFU centenary year of the 1971/1972 season.
From Bristol, Titcomb was a teacher, a lecturer at Bristol University and after that became Head of Physical Education at Bristol Polytechnic. As one of the polytechnic rugby committee members he became one of the founder members of the England Students' organisation, then made up of Colleges, Polytechnics and Universities. He was a member of the England Students committee until he fell ill five years ago.
The RFU's Elite Referee Development Manger Ed Morrison said: "I first came across Mike as a player and there's no doubt about it, he was an outstanding referee and always enhanced the game.
"He was also an outstanding man, full of character and personality and he brought that to the field every time he refereed a match. He spent 10 years on the international panel and became the first international referee to come from the Bristol Referee's Society."
Titcomb is survived by his wife and three children. His funeral will take place at the Cathedral Church of St Peter and Paul, Pembroke Road, in Clifton, Bristol on Tuesday May 13th at 1230pm.