World Rugby have announced the officials for the forthcoming November internationals across the women’s game.
A total of 12 test matches (plus a non-capped Wales v BaaBaas match) will take place between today and the 30 November, with 12 nations involved – Canada, England, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Scotland, Spain, USA and Wales – will participate.
To oversee those matches, 11 match officials from eight nations have been selected to take charge. England’s Sara Cox kicked things off today at the Estadio Central Universidad Complutense de Madrid, a match which saw the hosts, Spain, overturn Wales 29-5.
The November test window concludes a year that will have featured 74 women’s international fixtures played across Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania and South America. Commenting on the rise of the women’s game, World Rugby Chairman, Sir Bill Beaumont, said, “This has been a monumental year for the women’s game. A 51 per cent uplift in fixtures on 2018 is demonstrative of our commitment to growing and advancing the women’s game at all levels, particularly internationally.
“Providing more opportunities for international women’s teams to play competitive fixtures will continue to increase the standard of rugby and officiating as we build towards Rugby World Cup 2021, which will inspire many more women and girls to get into rugby across the globe.”
World Rugby Match Officials Selection Committee Chair, Anthony Buchanan, added, “We would like to congratulate this group of officials who have earned their selection for the November test window through their consistent delivery at a domestic and international level.
“The increased number of women’s international fixtures this year has provided us with more opportunities to develop and expand our pool of referees, and we look forward to seeing their talent showcased this November.”
Women’s November internationals 2019:
3rd November
Spain v Wales: Referee: Sara Cox (RFU)
9th November
France v England: Referee: Joy Neville (IRFU)
10th November
Ireland v Wales (at UCF, Dublin): Referee: Rebecca Mahoney (NZR)
16th November
England v France, (at Sandy Park, Exeter) – Referee: Rebecca Mahoney (NZR)
Italy v Japan (in L’Aquila) – Referee: Aurelie Groizeleau (FFR)
17th November
Scotland v Wales (at Scotstoun, Glasgow) – Referee: Nikki O’Donnell (RFU)
20th November
USA v Canada (in San Diego) – Referee: Amber McLachlan (ARU)
23rd November
England v Italy (at Goldington Road, Bedford) – Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU)
24th November
USA v Canada (in San Diego) – Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SARU)
Scotland v Japan (at Scotstoun, Glasgow) – Referee: Clara Munarini (FIR)
26th November
Netherlands v Hong Kong (in Amsterdam) – Referee: Beatrice Benvenuti (FIR)
30th November
Netherlands v Hong Kong (in Amsterdam) – Referee: Laura Pettingale (RFU)
Wales v Barbarians (in Cardiff) – Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU)