A team of 13 referees, two assistant referees and five Television Match Officials (TMOs) will oversee the 2019 Women’s 6 Nations championship. The competition kicks off on 1 February and will include ten female referees, six of them new to the panel; Nikki O’Donnell and Laura Pettingale (England), Clara Munarini (Italy), Rebecca Mahoney (New Zealand), Aurelie Groizeleau (France) and Hollie Davidson (Scotland).
South Africa’s Aimee Barrett-Theron referees the opening game in Dublin as Ireland face England. Reigning champions, France start their campaign against Wales in Montpellier and the Championship will conclude when they travel to play Italy in Padua on 17 March.
Rookies
While there are six 6 Nations rookies, all of the match officials selected have been previously involved in Women’s International matches during the 2018 June and November Test windows.
World Rugby Match Officials Selection Committee Chair Anthony Buchanan said, “The team of match officials appointed for the Women’s Six Nations Championship 2019 has a good blend of experience combined with six referees making their debuts in this competition.
“We are already hard at work developing the pathway to the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021. To ensure we have the most highly competitive and experienced squad of match officials possible in 2021, the Women’s Six Nations Championship forms a key part of this preparation.
French Pride
Recognising their own referees, Joël Dumé, National Referee Director in France commented, “We take pride to see Aurélie Groizeleau (left) selected for the 2019 Women’s 6 Nations Tournament. The ambition of the FFR is to develop French women’s refereeing. Having one of our French referees on the international scene is a strong message on the horizon of the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2021 in New Zealand.”
Trailblazer
The former Black Fern, Rebecca Mahoney (right) became the first New Zealand female referee to officiate a first class men’s fixture in the Heartland Championship and will now take charge of the Scotland v Wales and Italy v France matches.
New Zealand Rugby’s National Referee Manager, Bryce Lawrence congratulated Mahoney on her appointment. “These appointments are thoroughly deserved and top off what has been a fantastic year for Rebecca.
“Being able to witness her development as a referee has been special. She is a trail blazer, and demonstrates the pathways and incredible opportunities on offer not only for former players who pick up the whistle, but anyone who gets involved in refereeing,” said Lawrence.
Women’s 2019 Six Nations Referee appointments
Ireland Women v England Women
Energia Park, Donnybrook, Dublin, Ireland
1 Feb 2019, 5.00pm
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa)
ARs: Tim Baker (Hong Kong) & IRFU Appointment
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)
Scotland Women v Italy Women
Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow, Scotland
1 Feb 2019, 7.35pm
Referee: Nikki O’Donnell (England)
ARs: Katherine Ritchie (England) & SRU Appointment
TMO: Claire Hodnett (England)
France Women v Wales Women
Stadium GGL, Montpelier, France
2 Feb 2019, 9.00pm
Referee: Sean Gallagher (Ireland)
ARs: Sara Cox (England) & FFR Appointment
TMO: Leo Colgan (Ireland)
Scotland Women v Ireland Women
Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow, Scotland
8 Feb 2019, 7.35pm
Referee: Beatrice Benvenuti (Italy)
ARs: Clara Munarini (Italy) & SRU Appointment
TMO: Stefano Roscini (Italy)
Italy Women v Wales Women
Lecce, Italy
9 Feb 2019, 8.00pm
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa)
ARs: Ian Tempest (England) & FIR Appointment
TMO: TBA
England Women v France Women
Castle Park, Doncaster, England
10 Feb 2019, 12.45pm
Referee: Tim Baker (Hong Kong)
ARs: Hollie Davidson (Scotland) & RFU Appointment
TMO: Ian Davies (Wales)
Italy Women v Ireland Women
Stadio Sergio Lanfrachi, Parma, Italy
23 Feb 2019, 7.30pm
Referee: Laura Pettingale (RFU)
ARs: Aurelie Groizeleau (France) & FIR Appointment
TMO: Neil Paterson (Scotland)
France Women v Scotland Women
Stadium Metropole, Lille, France
23 Feb 2019, 9.00pm
Referee: Sara Cox (England)
ARs: Joy Neville (Ireland) & FFR Appointment
TMO: Claire Hodnett (England)
Wales Women v England Women
Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff, Wales
24 Feb 2019, 12.30pm
Referee: Clara Munarini (Italy)
ARs: Maria Pacifico (Italy) & WRU Appointment
TMO: Leo Colgan (Ireland)
Scotland Women v Wales Women
Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow, Scotland
8 Mar 2019, 7.35pm
Referee: Rebecca Mahoney (New Zealand)
ARs: Katherine Ritchie (England) & SRU Appointment
TMO: Stefano Roscini (Italy)
England Women v Italy Women
Sandy Park, Exeter, England
9 Mar 2019, 12.05pm
Referee: Aurelie Groizeleau (France)
ARs: Sean Gallagher (Ireland) & RFU Appointment
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)
Ireland Women v France Women
Energia Park, Donnybrook, Dublin, Ireland
9 Mar 2019, 7.00pm
Referee: Ian Tempest (England)
ARs: Nikki O’Donnell (England) & IRFU Appointment
TMO: Claire Hodnett (England)
England Women v Scotland Women
Twickenham Stadium, England
16 Mar 2019, 7.30pm
Referee: Joy Neville (Ireland)
ARs: Beatrice Benvenuti (Italy) & RFU Appointment
TMO: TBA
Wales Women v Ireland Women
Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff, Wales
17 Mar 2019, 1.30pm
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
ARs: Nikki O’Donnell (England) & WRU Appointment
TMO: Neil Paterson (Scotland)
Italy Women v France Women
Stadio Plebiscito, Padua, Italy
17 Mar 2019, 2.30pm
Referee: Rebecca Mahoney (New Zealand)
ARs: Laura Pettingale (RFU) & FIR Appointment
TMO: Leo Colgan (Ireland)
