Wayne Barnes' 100th Test celebration cancelled due to crowd abuse fears

Plans to celebrate Wayne Barnes' 100th Test at Twickenham during half-time of England's game with South Africa were scrapped by the Rugby Football Union, after the world's most-capped referee feared his family would be subjected to abuse from the crowd in the wake of criticism towards Barnes from South Africa director of rugby Rassie Erasmus.

Barnes took charge of his 100th Test when Wales faced New Zealand earlier this month, before breaking Nigel Owens' record the following week when France faced South Africa in Marseille.

Following France's win, Erasmus posted a number of sarcastic tweets subtly criticising Barnes' performance. The South Africa director of rugby has subsequently received a two-match ban from World Rugby, his second ban for criticising referees in two years, with Erasmus suspended from all matchday activities for the Springboks' games against Italy and England.

Nigel Gillingham OBE, the RFU president, had earlier wrote in his column for the match programme that Barnes' achievements would be recognised.

“We will be marking at half-time the wonderful achievement of Wayne Barnes, who on November 5 refereed his 100th Test international when he officiated at the Wales vs New Zealand Test, only the second referee to reach this remarkable milestone,” wrote the RFU official.

However the plan was later shelved before kick-off after Barnes feared his family would be subjected to abuse. Telegraph Sport understands that Barnes was no longer at Twickenham by the time the game kicked off, after plans for the presentation were changed at his request.

Nick Mullins, the TV commentator, posted reacting to the news by saying: "Plans to mark Wayne Barnes’ record-breaking career as a referee at half-time have been shelved. With his family & children here, there are worries about how some in the crowd might react. This is why and where it must end."

It was confirmed on Saturday Erasmus met with top World Rugby officials to discuss his ongoing criticism of referees.

The meeting with World Rugby chief executive officer Alan Gilpin and World Rugby Director of Rugby Phil Davies was held on Thursday and described as a “positive discussion regarding recent events and match official communications in general”.

“Views were exchanged resulting in a better understanding of the respective positions,” SA Rugby said in a statement.

“There was agreement that further dialogue was needed in terms of enhancing the process that operates between teams and match officials to ensure all can play their part in creating great spectacles and avoid frustration but in a way that underpins the respect for match officials, coaches and players,” it added.

Erasmus took to Twitter to share the SA Rugby statement, writing "Thank you WR and lets move on !!"