World Rugby has confirmed the match official appointments for the 2023 TikTok Women’s Six Nations. The tournament kicks off on 25 March and runs through to 29 April.
A total of 10 match officials representing nine nations will take charge of the 15 tests with Amber McLachlan (Australia) refereeing the opening match when Wales host Ireland.
Rugby World Cup 2021 final referee Hollie Davidson (Scotland) will referee Ireland v France in Cork on 1 April, while Sara Cox (England) in her ninth W6N, will take charge of the last match in the competition, Scotland v Ireland, on 29 April.
Highlights:
• Kat Roche (USA) joins the nine referees from the Rugby World Cup 2021 panel in taking charge of a TikTok Women’s Six Nations 2023 match
• Fifteen of the 18-strong RWC 2021 match officials team involved in the 2023 Championship
• Maggie Cogger-Orr (New Zealand), Lauren Jenner (New Zealand, although now living in Italy), Joy Neville (Ireland), Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa) and Aurélie Groizeleau (France) will each referee two matches
• Barrett-Theron to oversee the historic match between England and France at Twickenham on 29 April
• Mary Pringle (Scotland), Maria Heitor (Portugal) and Adele Robert (Belgium) all make Women’s Six Nations debuts as assistant referees
• Ben Blain and Andrew McMenemy (both Scotland) will make their Championship debuts as Television Match Officials
World Rugby Selection Committee Chairman Graham Mourie said, “The TikTok Women’s Six Nations 2023 kicks off a new era of international women’s rugby and these appointments provide another opportunity for a hardworking and talented group of match officials to help facilitate exciting test matches in a pivotal time for women’s rugby.
“The group selected contains a strong mix of experience and proven young talent and we have every confidence that they will be well prepared and ready to perform from the opening kick-off to the final whistle.
“I would like to congratulate Mary, and Maria and Adele, who both make history as the first assistant referees from Portugal and Belgium respectively, to be selected for the Women’s Six Nations and wish each of the match officials the very best for the tournament.”
World Rugby High Performance Women’s Referee Manager Alhambra Nievas added, “We are excited to kick off an exciting year of women’s test match rugby at the TikTok Women’s Six Nations 2023 following a successful Rugby World Cup 2021 in New Zealand with an experienced, talented and hardworking team of match officials.
“Ahead of the tournament getting underway, we will gather as a group for a three-day camp to focus on our preparation, including physical and technical sessions, mental preparedness, fitness and team cohesion, which is vital for us to perform our best as a group.”
TikTok Women’s Six Nations 2023 – Match Official Appointments
25 March 2023
Wales v Ireland
Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff
Referee: Amber McLachlan (RA)
ARs: Doriane Domenjo (FFR) & Maria Latos (GER)
TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU)
England v Scotland
Kingston Park, Newcastle
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SARU)
ARs: Precious Pazani (ZIM) & Adele Roberts (BEL)
TMO: Olly Hodges (IRFU)
26 March 2023
Italy v France
Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma
Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr (NZR)
ARs: Hollie Davidson (SRU) & Katherine Ritchie (RFU)
TMO: Ben Blain (SRU)
1 April 2023
Ireland v France
Musgrave Park, Cork
Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU)
ARs: Sara Cox (RFU) & Maria Heitor (PORT)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
Scotland v Wales
DAM Health Stadium, Edinburgh
Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr (NZR)
ARs: Beatrice Benvenuti (FIR) & Maria Pacifico (FIR)
TMO: Leo Colgan (IRFU)
2 April 2023
England v Italy
Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton
Referee: Kat Roche (USA)
ARs: Doriane Domenjo (FFR) & Mary Pringle (SRU)
TMO: Andrew McMenemy (SRU)
15 April 2023
Wales v England
Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff
Referee: Joy Neville (IRFU)
ARs: Beatrice Benvenuti (FIR) & Maria Pacifico (FIR)
TMO: Olly Hodges (IRFU)
Italy v Ireland
Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma
Referee: Aurélie Groizeleau (FFR)
ARs: Maria Latos (GER) & Mary Pringle (SRU)
TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU)
16 April 2023
France v Scotland
Stade de la Rabine, Vannes
Referee: Lauren Jenner (FIR)
ARs: Clara Munarini (FIR) & Katherine Ritchie (RFU)
TMO: Leo Colgan (IRFU)
22 April 2023
Ireland v England
Musgrave Park, Cork
Referee: Lauren Jenner (FIR)
ARs: Beatrice Benvenuti (FIR) & Maria Pacifico (FIR)
TMO: Andrew McMenemy (SRU)
Scotland v Italy
DAM Health Stadium, Edinburgh
Referee: Aurélie Groizeleau (FFR)
ARs: Joy Neville (IRFU) & Adele Roberts (BEL)
TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU)
23 April2023
France v Wales
Stade des Alpes, Grenoble
Referee: Clara Munarini (FIR)
ARs: Katherine Ritchie (RFU) & Mary Pringle (SRU)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)
29 April 2023
England v France
Twickenham Stadium, London
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SARU)
ARs: Lauren Jenner (FIR) & Maria Heitor (PORT)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
Italy v Wales
Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma
Referee: Joy Neville (IRFU)
ARs: Aurélie Groizeleau (FFR) & Mary Pringle (SRU)
TMO: Ben Blain (SRU)
Scotland v Ireland
DAM Health Stadium, Edinburgh
Referee: Sara Cox (RFU)
ARs: Clara Munarini (FIR) & Katherine Ritchie (RFU)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)
