- 15 women’s international test matches scheduled in November
- 12 match officials and five TMO’s appointed from seven different unions
- Black Ferns to play test match on USA soil for first time
- Wales to host biggest November series to date
- South Africa tour for first time since Women’s World Cup 2014
This November will see the biggest women’s internationals programme on record as World Rugby has today announced the twelve match officials and five Television Match Officials (TMOs) from seven unions who will officiate over the highly anticipated matches.
A total of fifteen women’s international test matches are scheduled to take place, hosted across eight member unions; USA, England, Spain, France, Italy, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.
Kick off Chicago
The international window kicks off on 3 November with USA playing host to current Women’s Rugby World Cup title holders, New Zealand. They play their first ever Test on USA soil at Soldier Field stadium in Chicago. Aimee Barrett-Theron (pic left) will be in Chicago to oversee that one.
Geographical split
The match official appointments see four officials selected from the RFU; Ian Tempest, Sara Cox, Nikki O’Donnell and Laura Pettingale alongside Joy Neville and Sean Gallagher from the IRFU and Beatrice Benvenuti and Clara Munarini from Italy. In addition, France’s Aurelie Groizeleau, Scotland’s Hollie Davidson, the New Zealander Rebecca Mahoney and South Africa’s Aimee Barrett-Theron have been named as part of the appointments.
TMOs Marc Nelson (USA), Eric Gauzins (FFR), Claire Hodnett (RFU), Neil Patterson (SRU) and Leo Colgan (IRFU) make up the panel for the November period.
World Rugby Chair Bill Beaumont said, “This is an exciting time for the women’s international game, with the biggest women’s international programme on record taking place with fifteen fixtures scheduled throughout November. The awarding of hosting rights for the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021 takes place on 14 November after which, teams will be able to plan for the journey ahead as the women’s game continues to strengthen and capture attention around the world.”
Anthony Buchanan, World Rugby Match Officials Selection Committee Chair added, “Entering into a new Women’s Rugby World Cup cycle ahead of WRWC 2021, the women’s international programme provides an opportunity for match officials, who have proven themselves at domestic level, to showcase their talents at international level as they continue to develop as elite match officials.”
Women’s international test programme referees:
• Aimee Barrett-Theron (SARU)
• Beatrice Benvenuti (FIR)
• Sara Cox (RFU)
• Hollie Davidson (SRU)
• Sean Gallagher (IRFU)
• Aurelie Groizeleau (FFR)
• Rebecca Mahoney (NZRFU)
• Clara Munarini (FIR)
• Joy Neville (IRFU)
• Nikki O’Donnell (RFU)
• Laura Pettingale (RFU)
• Ian Tempest (RFU)
TMOs
• Leo Colgan (IRFU)
• Eric Gauzins (FFR)
• Claire Hodnett (RFU)
• Marc Nelson (USA)
• Neil Patterson (SRU)
Appointments
Note: All Assistant Referee appointments will be made locally by host Unions.
USA v New Zealand
Soldier Field Stadium, Chicago
3 Nov 2018
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa)
ARs: Kat Roche (USA) & Emily Hsieh (USA)
TMO: Marc Nelson (USA)
Italy v Scotland
Pata Stadium, Calvisano
4 Nov 2018
Referee: Ian Tempest (England)
TMO: TBC
England v USA
Allianz Park, London
9 Nov 2018
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)
France v New Zealand
Stade Mayol, Toulon
9 Nov 2018
Referee: Sara Cox (England)
TMO: Claire Hodnett (England)
Wales v South Africa
Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff
10 Nov 2018, 11.30am
Referee: Nikki O’Donnell (England)
TMO: Neil Paterson (Scotland)
Spain v Hong Kong
El Pantano, Villajoyosa, Alicante
11 Nov 2018
Referee: Laura Pettingale (RFU)
TMO: TBC
Wales v Hong Kong
Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff
16 Nov 2018
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
TMO: Claire Hodnett (England)
Spain v South Africa
El Pantano, Villajoyosa, Alicante
17 Nov 2018 – 5.30pm
Referee: Clara Munarini (Italy)
TMO: TBC
France v New Zealand
Stade des Alpes, Grenoble
17 Nov 2018 2.30pm
Referee: Joy Neville (Ireland)
TMO: Leo Colgan (Ireland)
Ireland v USA
Donnybrook Stadium, Dublin
18 Nov 2018
Referee: Rebecca Mahoney (New Zealand)
TMO: TBC
England v Canada
Castle Park, Doncaster
18 Nov 2018, 2.00pm
Referee: Sean Gallagher (Ireland)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)
Wales v Canada
Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff
24 Nov 2018, 11.30am
Referee: Rebecca Mahoney (New Zealand)
TMO: Leo Colgan (Ireland)
England v Ireland
Twickenham Stadium
24 Nov 2018, 5.40pm
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa)
TMO: Neil Paterson (Scotland)
Italy v South Africa
Stadio Cherzoni, Prato
25 Nov 2018
Referee: Aurelie Groizeleau (France)
TMO: TBC
Scotland v Canada
Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow
27 Nov 2018
Referee: Beatrice Benvenuti (Italy)
TMO: Claire Hodnett (England)