The match officials for the men’s end-of-year internationals have been confirmed by World Rugby, with 36 Tests and five other matches providing a feast of action.
30 referees from 12 nations are set to take charge of the games, with the schedule kicking off on Saturday, October 26 when Japan host New Zealand in Yokohama.
Jordan Way (Australia) will take charge of that match while Andrea Piardi (Italy) referees the last fixture on November 30, between Ireland and Australia in Dublin.
Six to referee two matches
Craig Evans (Wales), Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), Sam Grove-White (Scotland), Luc Ramos (France), Christophe Ridley (England) and Hollie Davidson (Scotland) will all take charge of two Test matches during this window, with Davidson one of two female officials named by World Rugby, alongside Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa).
Barrett-Theron is an assistant referee for three games: Georgia v All Blacks XV on November 10, Spain v Fiji on November 16 and Georgia v Tonga on November 24.
Elsewhere, Nika Amashukeli will referee a repeat of the Rugby World Cup 2023 opening game between France and New Zealand at Stade de France on November 16.
Fellow Georgian, Saba Abulashvili, is handed his first Test appointment as referee by World Rugby – Spain v USA on November 23. Reuben Keane (Australia) and Jérémy Rozier (France) also make their Test debuts in the middle. They referee Hong Kong China v Brazil (November 9) and Netherlands v Chile (November 16), respectively.
Other notable matches see Angus Gardner referee England v New Zealand on November 2, Nic Berry (Australia) is handed Ireland v the All Blacks the following Friday.
New Zealander O’Keeffe is given the England v Australia game on November 9 while England’s Christophe Ridley referees Scotland v South Africa on the following day.
November 16 throws up two blockbuster games as Andrew Brace (IRFU) takes charge of England v South Africa while Georgia’s Amashukeli gets France v New Zealand.
The following Saturday sees Wales tackle South Africa and Karl Dickson (England) is in the middle, while Pierre Brousset (Italy) will referee the Italy v All Blacks clash.
All Blacks: Leon MacDonald’s stand-in takes up permanent position and leaves Crusaders
The final game of the end-of-year schedule takes place on Saturday, November 30 when Ireland tackle the Wallabies and Italy’s Piardi is the official in charge in Dublin.
Confirmation of any law trials operational during this window will be made by the respective competition owners and unions in the coming weeks, World Rugby stated.
“As we build towards Rugby World Cup 2031 in the USA via an expanded Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia and the new Nations Cup, we continue to be focused on developing a broader team of match officials,” said Men’s Emirates World Rugby High Performance Match Officials Selectors Chairman Brett Robinson.
“With a new match officiating strategy and high-performance system, deeper collaboration across unions and competitions, the evolution is reflected in this selection. Congratulations to all.
World Rugby High Performance 15s Match Official Manager Joël Jutge added: “Throughout 2024 we have been focusing on resetting the relationship with coaches, embedding a new performance structure and driving clarity across the game.
“With law amendments, law trials and a revised Television Match Official process to contend with, I am proud of how the team has responded. November is the next step for us to give experience to a wider team with an eye on Rugby World Cup 2031 in the USA.”
Saturday, October 26
Japan v New Zealand
Venue: Nissan Stadium, Yokohama
Referee: Jordan Way (RA)
Assistant Referees: Nic Berry (RA), Reuben Keane (RA)
TMO: Damon Murphy (RA)
FPRO: Brett Cronan (RA)
Saturday, November 2
England v New Zealand
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
Referee: Angus Gardner (RA)
Assistant Referees: Pierre Brousset (FFR), Jordan Way (RA)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)
FPRO: Marius Jonker (SARU)
Scotland v Fiji
Venue: Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Referee: Craig Evans (WRU)
Assistant Referees: Christophe Ridley (RFU), Luc Ramos (FFR)
TMO: Brett Cronan (RA)
FPRO: Quinton Immelman (SARU)
Munster v All Blacks XV
Venue: Thomond Park, Limerick
Referee: Takehito Namekawa (JRFU)
Assistant Referees: Matthew Carley (RFU), Anthony Woodthorpe (RFU)
TMO: Damon Murphy (RA)
Friday, November 8
Bristol v Australia XV
Venue: Ashton Gate, Bristol
Referee: Craig Evans (WRU)
Assistant Referees: Sara Cox (RFU), George Selwood (RFU)
TMO: Dan Jones (RFU)
Ireland v New Zealand
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Referee: Nic Berry (RA)
Assistant Referees: Karl Dickson (RFU), Andrea Piardi (FIR)
TMO: Brett Cronan (RA)
FPRO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
Saturday, November 9
Hong Kong China v Brazil
Venue: Hong Kong Football Club, Hong Kong SAR
Referee: Reuben Keane (RA)
Assistant Referees: Katsuki Furuse (JRFU), Morgan White (HKCR)
England v Australia
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR)
Assistant Referees: Nika Amashukeli (GRU), Paul Williams (NZR)
TMO: Glenn Newman (NZR)
FPRO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)
France v Japan
Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Referee: Damian Schneider (UAR)
Assistant Referees: Angus Gardner (RA), James Doleman (NZR)
TMO: Richard Kelly (NZR)
FPRO: Damon Murphy (RA)
Italy v Argentina
Venue: Stadio Friuli, Udine
Referee: Matthew Carley (RFU)
Assistant Referees: Andrew Brace (IRFU), Adam Leal (RFU)
TMO: Mike Adamson (SRU)
FPRO: Marius Jonker (SARU)
Spain v Uruguay
Venue: Estadio Nacional Complutense, Madrid
Referee: Eoghan Cross (IRFU)
Assistant Referees: Chris Busby (IRFU), IRFU appointment
TMO: Quinton Immelman (SARU)
Canada v Chile
Venue: Stadium National Arcul de Triumf, Bucharest, Romania
Referee: Angus Mabey (NZR)
Assistant Referees: Morné Ferreira (SARU), Federico Vedovelli (FIR)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)
Romania v Tonga
Venue: Stadium National Arcul de Triumf, Bucharest
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)
Assistant Referees: Morné Ferreira (SARU), Federico Vedovelli (FIR)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)
Portugal v USA
Venue: TBC
Referee: Sam Grove-White (SRU)
Assistant Referees: Takehito Namekawa (JRFU), Ru Campbell (SRU)
TMO: Andrew Jackson (RFU)
Sunday, November 10
Georgia v All Blacks XV
Venue: GGL Stadium, Montpelier, France
Referee: Jordan Way (RA)
Assistant Referees: Jeremy Rozier (FFR), Aimee Barrett-Theron (SARU)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRFU)
Wales v Fiji
Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Referee: Luc Ramos (FFR)
Assistant Referees: Pierre Brousset (FFR), Hollie Davidson (SRU)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
FPRO: Brett Cronan (RA)
Scotland v South Africa
Venue: Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Referee: Christophe Ridley (RFU)
Assistant Referees: Luke Pearce (RFU), Craig Evans (WRU)
TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU)
FPRO: Tual Trainini (FFR)
Friday, November 15
Ireland v Argentina
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Referee: Paul Williams (NZR)
Assistant Referees: Craig Evans (WRU), Angus Mabey (NZR)
TMO: Richard Kelly (NZR)
FPRO: Andrew Jackson (RFU)
Saturday, November 16
England v South Africa
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)
Assistant Referees: Chris Busby (IRFU), Eoghan Cross (IRFU)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
FPRO: Mike Adamson (SRU)
France v New Zealand
Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (GRU)
Assistant Referees: Matthew Carley (RFU), Andrea Piardi (FIR)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU)
FPRO: Ian Tempest (RFU)
Japan v Uruguay
Venue: Chambery Savoie Stadium, Chambery, France
Referee: Christophe Ridley (RFU)
Assistant Referees: Luc Ramos (FFR), Adam Leal (RFU)
TMO: Tual Trainini (FFR)
USA v Tonga
Venue: Chambery Savoie Stadium, Chambery, France
Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU)
Assistant Referees: Luc Ramos (FFR), Adam Leal (RFU)
TMO: Tual Trainini (FFR)
Scotland v Portugal
Venue: Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Referee: Takehito Namekawa (JRFU)
Assistant Referees: Luke Pearce (RFU), Anthony Woodthorpe (RFU)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRFU)
FPRO: Mark Patton (IRFU)
Spain v Fiji
Venue: Estadio José Zorrilla, Valladolid
Referee: Morné Ferreira (SARU)
Assistant Referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SARU), Federico Vedovelli (FIR)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (SARU)
Romania v Canada
Venue: Stadium National Arcul de Triumf, Bucharest
Referee: Sam Grove-White (SRU)
Assistant Referees: Saba Abulashvili (GRU), Ru Campbell (SRU)
TMO: Andrew McMenemy (SRU)
Netherlands v Chile
Venue: National Rugby Centre Stadium, Amsterdam
Referee: Jeremy Rozier (FFR)
Assistant Referees: Evan Urruzmendi (FFR), Kévin Bralley (FFR)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
Hong Kong China v Brazil
Venue: Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground, Hong Kong SAR
Referee: Katsuki Furuse (JRFU)
Assistant Referees: Reuben Keane (RA), Morgan White (HKCR)
Sunday, November 17
England A v Australia A
Venue: The Stoop, Twickenham
Referee: Eoghan Cross (IRFU)
Assistant Referees: RFU appointment, Joe James (RFU)
TMO: RFU appointment
Wales v Australia
Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Referee: James Doleman (NZR)
Assistant Referees: Karl Dickson (RFU), Angus Mabey (NZR)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)
FPRO: Richard Kelly (NZR)
Italy v Georgia
Venue: Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Genoa
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR)
Assistant Referees: Paul Williams (NZR), Damian Schneider (UAR)
TMO: Glenn Newman (NZR)
FPRO: Andrew Jackson (RFU)
Friday, November 22
France v Argentina
Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU)
Assistant Referees: Andrea Piardi (FIR), Morné Ferreira (SARU)
TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU)
FPRO: Olly Hodges (IRFU)
Saturday, November 23
Wales v South Africa
Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU)
Assistant Referees: Christophe Ridley (RFU), Damian Schneider (UAR)
TMO: Andrew Jackson (RFU)
FPRO: Stuart Terheege (RFU)
Italy v New Zealand
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Turin
Referee: Pierre Brousset (FFR)
Assistant Referees: Nika Amashukeli (GRU), Ludovic Cayre (FFR)
TMO: Tual Trainini (FFR)
FPRO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
Ireland v Fiji
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU)
Assistant Referees: Matthew Carley (RFU), Sam Grove-White (SRU)
TMO: Mike Adamson (SRU)
FPRO: Andrew McMenemy (SRU)
Spain v USA
Venue: Estadio Nacional Complutense, Madrid
Referee: Saba Abulashvili (GRU)
Assistant Referees: Evan Urruzmendi (FFR), Kévin Bralley (FFR)
TMO: TBC
Romania v Uruguay
Venue: Stadium National Arcul de Triumf, Bucharest
Referee: Adam Leal (RFU)
Assistant Referees: RFU appointment, RFU appointment
TMO: TBC
Scotland A v Chile
Venue: Hive Stadium, Edinburgh
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)
Assistant Referees: Federico Vedovelli (FIR), Franco Rosella (FIR)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)
Sunday, November 24
Georgia v Tonga
Venue: Tbilisi
Referee: Luc Ramos (FFR)
Assistant Referees: Jeremy Rozier (FFR), Aimee Barrett-Theron (SARU)
TMO: Mark Patton (IRFU)
England v Japan
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
Referee: Craig Evans (WRU)
Assistant Referees: Andrea Piardi (FIR), Morné Ferreira (SARU)
TMO: Olly Hodges (IRFU)
FPRO: Mike Adamson (SRU)
Scotland v Australia
Venue: Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Referee: Chris Busby (IRFU)
Assistant Referees: Andrew Brace (IRFU), Eoghan Cross (IRFU)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
FPRO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)
Saturday, November 30
Ireland v Australia
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR)
Assistant Referees: Nika Amashukeli (GRU), Pierre Brousset (FFR)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
FPRO: Ian Tempest (RFU)
READ MORE: Dan Biggar opens up on ‘fiery’ Owen Farrell, following Jonny Wilkinson, England’s ‘restrictions’ and a night ‘on the smash’ with Usain Bolt
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source link
