Cecchin set for NRL return at Lottoland

Referee Matt Cecchin returns to the NRL this weekend when he takes charge of the Sea Eagles-Roosters round two game at Lottoland on Sunday.

Cecchin has returned to Australian rugby league after a bid to referee in the English Super League broke down at the employment visa stage.

The British government doesn't classify match officials as professional sportspeople, which makes gaining the necessary immigration clearance hard.

Cecchin, who has handled 326 NRL games, is one of the game's most experienced referees with State of Origin, Test matches, and finals games in his resume.

He handled the Canterbury-Warriors game in Canterbury Cup last weekend - the curtain-raiser to the main NRL game.

The last NRL game Cecchin refereed was the Warriors-Penrith qualifying final on September 8, 2018.