From the Premiership to park pitches: the rugby referee who switched codes

After being made redundant as a rugby union referee, James Jones worked his way back to the top ... in rugby leagueBy Gavin Willacy for No Helmets RequiredWhen James Jones was made redundant by the Welsh Rugby Union at the age of 34, he expected to spend the rest of his life as a lawyer. Eight years on, Jones is now among rugby league’s top officials and hoping to get his chance in Super League. You refereed superstar rugby union players such as Jonny Wilkinson, Brian O’Driscoll and Sam Warburton. What was the highlight? “Probably the World Cup Sevens in Dubai in 2009. They were looking t…