The biggest weekend in the last four years, sees Jérôme Garcès take centre stage as England play South Africa in the 2019 Rugby World Cup Final. He’s the first French referee to be there with the whistle, after compatriots Joel Dume, Joel Jutge and Romain Poite have all (or will be) there as assistant referees. Good luck to him, Romain, Ben O’Keeffe and Ben Skeen who will be the others in the team of four. Wayne Barnes will take charge of the third/fourth place play off as the Welsh take on New Zealand.
Elsewhere, we congratulate another Premiership referee who makes his debut this weekend. Anthony Woodthorpe makes the step up from Championship referee and Prem AR to take charge of Wasps v Bath. In the Pro14, Joy Neville gets her first run out of the season as she’ll oversee Glasgow v the Southern Kings.
Whoever you’re supporting, refereeing or watching this weekend, enjoy the centrepiece of the Rugby World Cup final!
Enjoy
Keith
Rugby World Cup Final
England v South Africa
Referee: Jérôme Garcès (Fra)
ARs: Romain Poite (Fra) & Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
TMO: Ben Skeen (NZ)
Bronze medal match
New Zealand v Wales
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
ARs: Jaco Peyper (South Africa) & Pascal Gaüzère (France)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
Women’s international
Spain Women v Wales Women
Referee: Sara Cox (Eng)
ARs: Spain Appt TBC & Nikki O’Donnell (Eng)
Pro14 – Round 5
Glasgow Warriors v Isuzu Southern Kings
Referee: Joy Neville (IRFU, 5th Championship Appearance)
ARs: Keith Allen (SRU) & John Carvill (IRFU)
TMO: Leo Colgan (IRFU)
Ulster Rugby v Zebre Rugby Club
Referee: Sam Grove-White (SRU, 5th Championship Appearance)
ARs: Frank Murphy (IRFU) & Hollie Davidson (SRU)
TMO: Neil Patterson (SRU)
Leinster Rugby v Dragons
Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR, 3rd Championship Appearance)
ARs: Andrew Brace (IRFU) & Matteo Liperini (FIR)
TMO: Alan Falzone (FIR)
Scarlets v Toyota Cheetahs
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU, 39th Championship Appearance)
ARs: David Sutherland (SRU) & TBC
TMO: Neil Patterson (SRU)
Benetton Rugby v Edinburgh Rugby
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU, 62nd Championship Appearance)
ARs: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR) & Ian Davies (WRU)
TMO: Sean Brickell (WRU)
Ospreys v Connacht Rugby
Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR, 92nd Championship Appearance)
ARs: Craig Evans (WRU) & Maniel Bottino (FIR)
TMO: Stefan Penne (FIR)
Cardiff Blues v Munster Rugby
Referee: Stuart Berry (SARU, 27th Championship Appearance)
ARs: Dan Jones (WRU) & Richard Brace (WRU)
TMO: Tim Hayes (WRU)
Gallagher Premiership – week 3
Northampton Saints v Harlequins
Referee: JP Doyle (173rd Premiership game)
ARs: Jack Makepeace & Paul Dix
TMO: Sean Davey
Citing Officer: Andy Blyth
Bristol Bears v Sale Sharks
Referee: Christophe Ridley (17th Premiership game)
ARs: Andrew Jackson & Simon Harding
TMO: Sean Davey
Citing Officer: Nick Wood
Leicester Tigers v Gloucester Rugby
Referee: Ian Tempest (62nd Premiership game)
ARs: Hamish Smales & Wayne Falla
TMO: Trevor Fisher
Citing Officer: Danae Zamboulis
Saracens v London Irish
Referee: Adam Leal (2nd Premiership game)
ARs: Craig Maxwell-Keys & Philip Watters
TMO: David Grashoff
Citing Officer: Buster White
Wasps v Bath Rugby
Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe (1st Premiership game)
ARs: JP Doyle & Paul Dix
TMO: Geoff Warren
Citing Officer: Paul Hull
Worcester Warriors v Exeter Chiefs
Referee: Tom Foley (69th Premiership game)
ARs: Jack Makepeace & Simon McConnell
TMO: Stuart Terheege
Citing Officer: David Guyan
Greene King RFU Chamionship
Nottingham v Cornish Pirates
Referee: Greg Macdonald
ARs: Peter Brunt & Simon Park
London Scottish v Yorkshire Carnegie
Referee: Neil Chivers
ARs: Robert Warburton & Roy Maybank
Newcastle Falcons v Jersey Reds
Referee: Karl Dickson
ARs: George Selwood & Jamie Leahy
Ampthill v Hartpury University
Referee: Matthew Turvey
ARs: Gareth Holsgrove & Nigel Carrick
Doncaster Knights v Bedford Blues
Referee: Andrew Jackson
ARs: Bill Burton & John Meredith
Ealing Trailfinders v Coventry
Referee: Matthew Carley
ARs: Lionel Spooner & Darryl Chapman
Tennent’s Premiership
Currie Chieftains v Aberdeen Grammar Rugby
Ref: Graeme ORMISTON
ARs: Fergus HOLLINS & Digby THOMAS
Tennent’s Women’s Premier League
Ayr WRFC v Watsonians WRFC
Ref: Iain MORRISON
ARs: Scott CUBITT & Walter GAFFNEY
Cartha Queens Park WRFC v Corstorphine Cougars WRFC
Ref: Calum WORSLEY
ARs Paul BURR & Duncan PINE
Stirling County WRFC v Hillhead Jordanhill WRFC
Ref: Tom FRENCH
ARs: Gregor MCINTOSH & John HAWRYLUK-BEATON
