The world’s top female match officials have joined a selection of male colleagues in being appointed to year’s men’s U20 Six Nations Championship. As part of their preparation for Rugby World Cup 2021, playing later this year, many of those expected to head to New Zealand will be brought together as they cultivate a team environment. Across the competition, there will be four all-female crews in action.
Sara Cox (RFU), Julianne Zussman (RC), Hollie Davidson (SRU), Joy Neville (IRFU), Aurelie Groizeleau (FFR), Aimee Barrett-Theron (RSA) and Clara Munarini (FIR) will all referee matches in the U20’s mens competition for the first time. They join the likes of Sam Grove-White (SRU), Damian Schneider (UAR) and Ian Tempest (RFU) as referees in the tournament.
Development opportunities
In the other Referee, AR and TMO appointments, there’s a swathe of new faces from around the referee development talent pool. Zimbabwe’s Precious Pazani will AR in the France v England and we see developing nations represented in other roles – Frederico Vedovelli (Italy), Shota Tevzadze (Georgia) and Saba Abulashvili (Georgia) also earning selection.
World Rugby Referee Talent Development Manager, Alhambra Nievas, added: “Teamwork is just as important for match officials as it is for the players which is exactly why we have taken this opportunity to enhance our preparations for Rugby World Cup 2021. This tournament will be a fantastic chance for these officials to continue to foster important relationships both on and off the field of play to ensure that they are in the best shape possible for the pinnacle women’s event in New Zealand later this year.”
Congratulations to all involved.
2022 Six Nations U20 Championship match officials*
Ireland v Wales
Friday 4 February 2022
Referee: Julianne Zussman (Can)
ARs: Maria Beatrice Benvenuti (FIR) & Maria Giovanna Pacifico (FIR)
TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU)
Scotland v England
Friday 4 February 2022
Referee: Benoit Rousselet (FFR)
ARs: Aurelie Groizeleau (FFR) & Luc Ramos (FFR)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
France v Italy
Friday 4 February 2022
Referee: Eoghan Cross (IRFU)
ARs: Chris Busby (IRFU) & Aled Evans (WRU)
TMO: Olly Hodges (IRFU)
Italy v England
Friday 11 February 2022
Referee: Aurelie Groizeleau (FFR)
ARs: Benoit Rousselet (FFR) & Luc Ramos (FFR)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
Wales v Scotland
Friday 11 February 2022
Referee: Sara Cox (RFU)
ARs: Nikki O’Donnell (RFU) & Doriane Domenjo (FFR)
TMO: Claire Hodnett (RFU)
France v Ireland
Friday 11 February 2022
Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU)
ARs: Ben Blain (SRU) & Ian Kenny (SRU)
TMO: Sam Grove White (SRU)
England v Wales
Friday 25 February 2022
Referee: Joy Neville (IRFU)
ARs: Aurelie Groizeleau (FFR) & Doriane Domenjo (FFR)
TMO: Olly Hodges (RFU)
Scotland v France
Friday 25 February 2022
Referee: Clara Munarini (FIR)
ARs: Nikki O’Donnell (RFU) & Maria Beatrice Benvenuti (FIR)
TMO: Claire Hodnett (RFU)
Ireland v Italy
Friday 25 February 2022
Referee: Aled Evans (WRU)
ARs: Luc Ramos (FFR)& Benoit Rousselet (FFR)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
Wales v France
Thursday 10 March 2022
Referee: Shota Tevadze (GRU)
ARs: Saba Abulashvili (GRU) & Eoghan Cross (IRFU)
TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU)
Italy v Scotland
Friday 11 March 2022
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SARU)
ARs: Adriaan Jacobs (SARU) & Precious Pazani (ZIM)
TMO: Joy Neville (IRFU)
England v Ireland
Saturday 12 March 2022
Referee: Damian Schneider (UAR)
ARs: Aled Evans (WRU) & Federico Vedovelli (FIR)
TMO: Stefano Penne (FIR)
Wales v Italy
Sunday 20 March 2022
Referee: Damian Schneider (UAR)
ARs: Benoit Rousselet (FFR) & Luc Ramos (FFR)
TMO: Olly Hodges (IRFU) Eric Gauzins (FFR)
Ireland v Scotland
Sunday 20 March 2022
Referee: Federico Vedovelli (FIR)
ARs: Shota Tevadze (GRU) & Saba Abulashvili (GRU)
TMO: Stefano Penne Matteo Liperini (FIR)
France v England
Sunday 20 March 2022
Referee: AJ Jacobs (SARU)
ARs: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SARU) & Precious Pazani (ZIM)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU) Olly Hodges (IRFU)
*In the current climate, these appointments are subject to change. We will update as and when we’re aware of any amendments.
