Top rugby referee Tom Foley is set to take a break from the international game after receiving a "torrent of abuse" after the World Cup final.

Following the online abuse he received in the wake of the 2023 Rugby World Cup final, Tom Foley has stepped away from officiating Test rugby.

Increasing levels of vitriol including vilification emailed to his children's school has led to decision to focus on club rugby

The 38-year-old said ‘now feels the right time to take a break’ from internationals but will continue to referee Premiership matches

The television match official from the Rugby World Cup final stepped away from the international game "for the foreseeable future" on Monday, blaming a “torrent of criticism and abuse online." English official Tom Foley made a series of big calls in the title match between New Zealand and South Africa in October in Paris,

Match official Tom Foley will take a break from international rugby because of the "torrent of abuse" he received after the World Cup final.

Referee Tom Foley will take a step back from officiating international rugby after receiving a “torrent of criticism and abuse” after the Rugby World Cup final.

English referee Tom Foley, who received death threats after acting as television match official at the Rugby World Cup final, will step away from officiating test rugby for the foreseeable future, it was announced on Monday.