The 2018 World Rugby U20s Championships kicks off next week in the South of France.
As ever, World Rugby have appointed a range of officials from around the world, in a tournament that brings on future refereeing talent as well as playing talent. Indeed, when WR announced the pool of officials for the summer internationals, they were a pains to point out that all bar three of the 24 whistlers were graduates from previous U20 Championships.
It’s interesting to note the rise in former professional players in this list. Karl Dickson is in his first season as a professional referee in England’s Premiership having played 167 times for Harlequins. Damon Murphy is a former Wallaby 7s, Egon Seconds was a former Western Province and Springboks 7s and Jamie Nutbrown was a former Junior All Black who plied his tried in the Pro12 (as was) league in Wales and in SuperRugby with the Crusaders and then the Chiefs.
Good luck to the squad, who are joined by three specialist TMOs over the next few weeks Perpignan, Béziers and Narbonne from 30 May through to 17 June.
Referees
- Ludovic Cayre (France)
- Pali Deluca (Argentina)
- Karl Dickson (England)
- Sean Gallagher (Ireland)
- Dan Jones (Wales)
- Andrea Piardi (Italy)
- Damon Murphy (Australia)
- Jamie Nutbrown (New Zealand)
- Egon Seconds (South Africa)
TMOs
- Philippe Bonhoure (France)
- Shane McDermott (New Zealand)
- Graham Hughes (England)
UPDATE (30/5/18) Day One appointments:
World Rugby U20s referee appointments – day 1
South Africa v Georgia (in Perpignan)
Referee: Ludovic Cayre (France)
ARs: Dan Jones (Wales) & Jonathan Gasnier (France)
TMO: Graham Hughes (England)
Scotland v Italy (in Béziers)
Referee: Pali Deluca (Argentina)
ARs: Jamie Nutbrown (New Zealand) & Mathieu Noirot (France)
TMO: Shane McDermott (New Zealand)
England v Argentina (in Narbonne)
Referee: Sean Gallagher (Ireland)
ARs: Damon Murphy (Australia) & Luc Ramos (France)
TMO: Philippe Bonhoure (France)
France v Ireland (in Perpignan)
Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
ARs: Dan Jones (Wales) & Jonathan Gasnier (France)
TMO: Graham Hughes (England)
Australia v Wales (in Béziers)
Referee: Egon Seconds (South Africa)
ARs: Jamie Nutbrown (New Zealand) & Mathieu Noirot (France)
TMO: Shane McDermott (New Zealand)
New Zealand v Japan (in Narbonne)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
ARs: Damon Murphy (Australia) & Luc Ramos (France)
TMO: Philippe Bonhoure (France)
