An experienced team of match officials has been announced to take charge of the rescheduled Women’s Six Nations 2021.
The new condensed format kicks off next weekend and runs until 24 April, with four senior referees appointed to the first phase of the competition. This year’s Championship will see two pools of three teams playing before concluding with Super Saturday Finals Day on 24 April. Every side plays the opposing ranked team from the other pool.
Sara Cox (RFU) will referee in her seventh Women’s Six Nations, while it will be a third Championship for referees Nikki O’Donnell (RFU), Aurélie Groizeleau (FFR), and Hollie Davidson (SRU), who made her debut in the PRO14 earlier this month. Clara Munarini from Italy was also scheduled to appear next weekend, but a Covid test has since ruled her out. She will AR later in the tournament.
Groizeleau and O’Donnell will take charge of the opening round of matches on 3 April when England host Scotland in Doncaster and France welcome Wales to Vannes.
Groizeleau and Davidson will referee in round two when Italy take on England in Padova and Wales face Ireland in Cardiff on 10 April, while O’Donnell and Cox will take charge of the final round of pool matches on 17 April when Scotland host Italy in Glasgow and Ireland face France in Dublin.
The appointments for the play-off matches will be announced at the conclusion of the pool stage.
World Rugby Match Officials Selection Committee Chairman Graham Mourie said, “The match officials have been working extremely hard as they continue with preparations to return to officiating international rugby. We want to congratulate the selected panel for this year’s Women’s Six Nations and look forward to watching them performing again at the highest level.”
Women’s Six Nations 2021 Match official appointments
ENGLAND v SCOTLAND
Saturday 3 April, Kick-off: 15:00, Castle Park, Doncaster
Referee: Aurélie Groizeleau (FFR)
ARs: Beatrice Benvenuti (FIR) & Maria Pacifico (FIR)
TMO: Joy Neville (IRFU)
FRANCE v WALES
Saturday 3 April, Kick-off: 21:00, Stade de la Rabine, Vannes
Referee: Nikki O’Donnell (RFU)
ARs: Hollie Davidson (SRU) & Katherine Ritchie (RFU)
TMO: Claire Hodnett (RFU)
ITALY v ENGLAND
Saturday 10 April, Kick-off: 14:00, Stadio Plebiscito, Padova
Referee: Aurélie Groizeleau (FFR)
ARs: Doriane Domenjo (FFR) & Francesca Martin (WRU)
TMO: Neil Paterson (SRU)
WALES v IRELAND
Saturday 10 April, Kick-off: 17:00, Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff
Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU)
ARs: Sara Cox (RFU) & Maria Pacifico (FIR)
TMO: Marius Mitrea (FIR)
SCOTLAND v ITALY
Saturday 17 April, Kick-off: 17:00, Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow
Referee: Nikki O’Donnell (RFU)
ARs: Aurélie Groizeleau (FFR) & Doriane Domenjo (FFR)
TMO: Joy Neville (IRFU)
IRELAND v FRANCE
Saturday 17 April, Kick-off: 14:15, Energia Park, Donnybrook, Dublin
Referee: Sara Cox (RFU)
ARs: Clara Munarini (FIR) & Beatrice Benvenuti (FIR)
TMO: Claire Hodnett (RFU)
Super Saturday Play offs – 24 April 2021
1st POOL A v 1st POOL B
2nd POOL A v 2nd POOL B
3rd POOL A v 3rd POOL B
