Argentina will be hosting this year’s u20s Championship, and World Rugby has unveiled a strong line-up of referees for the Rosario and Santa Fe-based tournament.
The squad includes nine referees and three TMOs and is clearly set out as a potential squad for future Rugby World Cups. Super Rugby, Pro14 and Premiership referees are all well represented, with referees Damon Murphy, Rasta Rasivhenge, Craig Evens, Ben Blain, Andrea Piardi and Christophe Ridley. Pablo DeLuca, James Doleman and Nika Amashukeli have all featured in recent U20s or high-level domestic leagues. You’ll remember the Georgian for his eventful night in Bedford in March, when he became the first referee to make use of a blood bin!
Brian MacNeice (Ireland), Santiago Borsani (Argentina) and Ian Smith (Australia) will be offering support from the TMO gantry.
Congratulations to all those heading to South America, for the tournament which starts on 4 June. The final is on Saturday 22 June. We’ll bring you the news around the tournament when it all kicks off.
World Rugby U20 Championship 2019 Match Officials
Referees:
Damon Murphy (Australia)
Pablo Deluca (Argentina)
Craig Evans (Wales)
Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Rasta Rasivhenge (South Africa)
Christophe Ridley (England)
Ben Blain (Scotland)
Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
James Doleman (New Zealand)
TMOs
Brian MacNeice (Ireland)
Santiago Borsani (Argentina)
Ian Smith (Australia)
