Former Mersea Island referee Roy Marfleet says being involved in this weekend’s Rugby World Cup Final will be the pinnacle of his career.

The Sible Hedingham official will be the official timekeeper for the final between Australia and holders New Zealand, at Twickenham.

From his seat above the tunnel, he will advise referee Nigel Owens when the clock needs to be stopped when the man in the middle fails to do so.

Marfleet, a former president of Suffolk and North Essex Referees Society, has been performing timekeeping duties throughout the tournament.

And his hard work has paid off, after he was given the chance to be part of the sport’s showpiece occasion, on Saturday.

“I’m over the moon,” said Marfleet, who has been refereeing for 25 years.

“It’s great to be involved and you can’t do much better than this.

“I’d not been given an appointment for a Premiership match and didn’t get the semi-final or quarter-final, so I knew that there was a chance.

“There’s nothing like the World Cup Final and it’s the pinnacle of your career, especially with it being on home soil.

“I’ve loved it so far and the quality of the rugby has been really good and the lesser nations have closed the gap, at the top level.”

Marfleet, who also officiates in the Aviva Premiership on a match-by-match basis, will be at Twickenham three hours before the 4pm kick-off, on Saturday.

“We have a big security briefing, check the timing equipment, the referee’s briefing and then warm up,” added Marfleet, who works as a civil engineer in Braintree.

“We’re in the changing rooms before and after the game and get to meet the players.

“I’ll talk to the match referee Nigel Owens before the game and he’ll tell me what he wants and have a briefing in the changing room.

“You’re miked up and talking to the referee all the time and also linked to the television and the stadium clock but the referee has final control of time.”