BRIAN Anderson, Currie's international referee, intimated his

retirement last night, writes Bill McMurtrie.

It was an unexpected announcement because only in October, he had been

one of the two Scots on the World Cup's panel of referees. Anderson gave

his reason as ''personal and business.''

He would not expand on that, though it is impossible not to recognise

that the Scottish Rugby Union this morning are expected to name their

three referees for the Five Nations' Championship in the New Year.

Scotland's panel of referees have had to be reduced from five to three

because of the International Rugby Football Board's new regulations, but

it would have been a drastic letdown if the 46-year-old Anderson had

been dropped immediately after the World Cup.

Not only did he referee in that tournament, but he was among the 12

retained in the reduced panel for the knock-out stages. From the world's

top dozen to no better than fourth in Scotland?

Anderson began refereeing 18 years ago and graduated to the

international field with the Wales v England match in Cardiff in 1981.

All told, he refereed 20 internationals, the most by any Scot, and his

career with the whistle took him to all five continents.

He did no fewer than four Tests between Australia and New Zealand as

well as refereeing three internationals in the 1987 World Cup in the

Antipodes, including the memorable semi-final in which France edged out

the Wallabies by 30-24.

Ironically, he did not complete his last international, the World Cup

match between Argentina and Western Samoa in Pontypridd on October 13. A

hamstring strain forced him to hand over at the interval to his fellow

Scot, Jim Fleming, who then sent off a player from each team, Pedro

Sporleder and Matt Keenan. Ironically, however, it was the only time in

Anderson's refereeing career that he had failed to finish a match.

Anderson did not have a league game at the weekend. Instead, he

refereed a school match between Loretto and Sedbergh. He described it as

''an enjoyable way to go out.''

He has no plan yet for his future in rugby. It would, though, be a

loss to the game if the SRU could not draw on his long and wide

experience.