Rugby Europe & World 7s aside, we’re back to domestic action around the world this weekend, and some notable refereeing appointments. Tarsh Ganley (top left) and Mike Winter (bottom right) make their Super debuts in New Zealand as round two of the Aupiki competition takes place. In Canada, England’s George Selwood (bottom left) makes his debut on the World 7s stage in Vancouver. Nick Hogan (top right) brings up 50 first class appointments when he trots out there as well. Congrats to all four!
In Super Rugby, they’re having a “Super round”, with all six games taking place in Melbourne’s AAMI park arena starting on Friday night. Your scribe will be at all six! Some impressive Ball in Play stats from last weekend with both NZ games seeing well over 40 mins which oddly as it seems, is quite a rarity! Definitely a speedier game – whether that’s a good thing is up for debate! Let me know what you think.
Enjoy!
Keith
World Sevens Series – Vancouver
Men’s tournament: Paulo Durate (Por), Ben Breakspear (Wal), Gianluca Gnecchi (Ita), Reuben Keane (Aus), Morne Ferreira (SA), Francisco Gonzalez (Uru), Nick Hogan (NZ), Tevita Rokovereni (Fij)
Women’s tournament:
Eki Fanlo (Sp), Kat Roche (USA), Lauren Jenner (Ita/NZ), Francisco Lopez (USA), Finlay Brown (Sco) & George Selwood (Eng)
Rugby Europe Championship (Mens)
Poland v Germany
Ref: Gert VISSER (NED)
ARs:Liam WRIGHT (NED) & Louis VAN GERWEN (NED)
Georgia v Romania
Ref: Federico VEDOVELLI (ITA)
ARs:Alex FRASSON (ITA) & Filippo BERTELLI (ITA)
Portugal v Spain
Ref: Thomas CHARABAS (FRA)
ARs:Pierre BRU (FRA) & Norbert ROCHE (FRA)
Netherlands v Belgium
Ref: Michael TODD (SCO)
ARs: Ruairidh CAMPBELL (SCO) & Bob NEVINS (SCO)
Rugby Europe Trophy – Women’s
Belgium v Germany
Ref: Hana Erika RADOCHOVA (CZE)
Portugal v Czechia
Ref: Alexandra FERRE (FRA)
Hong Kong: Nan Fung Group/SEWIT Women’s Premiership
DAC Kowloon v Societe Generale Valley
Referee: Jacques Rossouw (19th WPrem Appointment)
ARs: Evans Lam & Sarah Lucas
Gai Wu Falcons v Natixis HKFC Ice
Referee: Sunny Lee (6th WPrem Appointment)
ARs: Steven Yuen & Billy Chan
SCAA Causeway Bay Phoenix v Kroll USRC Tigers
Referee: Sam Chan (19th WPrem Appointment)
ARs: Thomas Ngan & Hendro van der Merwe
Nan Fung Group/SEWIT Men’s Premiership
KPMG HK Scottish v Natixis HKFC Club
Referee: Francesco Cammisa (5th Prem appointment)
ARs: Morgan White & Allen Judge
DAC Kowloon v Societe Generale Valley
Referee: Sam Brown (13th Prem appointment)
ARs: Stephen Copeman & Ed Fitzgerald
IMPACTHK HKU Sandy Bay v Kroll USRC Tigers
Referee: Craig Chan (21st Prem appointment)
ARs: Matt Rodden & Sam Chan
Super Rugby – Round 2 (all games played in Melbourne, Australia)
Crusaders v Highlanders
Referee: Nic Berry
ARs: Ben O’Keeffe & Angus Mabey
TMO: Brett Cronan
Melbourne Rebels v Hurricanes
Referee: James Doleman
ARs: Paul Williams & Graham Cooper
TMO: Oli Kellet
Moana Pasifika v Chiefs
Referee: Angus Gardner
ARs: Graham Cooper & James Doleman
TMO: James Leckie
Fijian Drua v Waratahs
Referee: Jordan Way
ARs: Nic Berry & Angus Mabey
TMO: Brett Cronan
Blues v ACT Brumbies
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
ARs: James Doleman & Angus Mabey
TMO: Brett Cronan
Western Force v QLD Reds
Referee: Paul Williams
ARs: Nic Berry & Angus Gardner
TMO: James Leckie
Women’s Super Rugby Aupiki 2023
Blues v Chiefs Manawa
Referee: Tarsh Ganley
ARs: Maggie Cogger-Orr & Tiana Ngawati
TMO: Lee Jeffrey
Matatu v Hurricanes Poua
Referee: Mike Winter
ARs: Taneika Uerata & Cassie Watt
TMO: Aaron Paterson
England: Gallagher Premiership – Round
Bristol Bears v Northampton Saints
Referee: Ian Tempest
ARs: Adam Leal & Phil Watters
TMO: David Rose
Leicester Tigers v Bath Rugby
Referee: Karl Dickson
ARs: Peter Allan & Jamie Leahy
TMO: Rowan Kitt
Harlequins v Exeter Chiefs
Referee: Matthew Carley
ARs: Sara Cox & Gareth Holsgrove
TMO: Dean Richards
Sale Sharks v Saracens
Referee: Tom Foley
ARs: Adam Leal & Wayne Falla
TMO: Claire Hodnett
Newcastle Falcons v London Irish
Referee: Christophe Ridley
ARs: Neil Chivers & John Meredith
TMO: Andrew Jackson
RFU Championship
Bedford Blues v Doncaster Knights
Referee: Michael Hudson
ARs: Neil Chivers & James Clarke
Nottingham v Hartpury University
Referee: Hamish Grant
ARs: Andrew Jackson & Darryl Chapman
Ampthill v Cornish Pirates
Referee: Nick Wood
ARs: Phil Watters & Ian Bibey
Jersey Reds v Caldy
Referee: Jack Makepeace
ARs: James Cornell & James Pidding
Richmond v Ealing Trailfinders
Referee: Joe James
ARs: Simon Adams & Peter Brunt
Coventry v London Scottish
Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe
ARs: Hamish Grant & Calum Howard
England: Allianz Premier 15s – round
DMP Sharks v Gloucester-Hartpury Women’s RFC
Referee: Hamish Smales
ARs: Gregg Dawson & Andrew Ashwell
Saracens Women v Sale Sharks Women
Referee: Simon Harding
ARs: Lionel Spooner & Nia Parsonage
Harlequins Women v Exeter Chiefs Women
Referee: Dan Jones
ARs: Holly Wood & Katherine Ritchie
Loughborough Lightning v Bristol Bears Women
Referee: Alex Thomas
ARs: Simon Park & Fiona Brunt
Uni of Worcester Women v Wasps Women
Referee: Adam Wookey
ARs: Darryl Chapman & Kevin Williams
BKT United Rugby Championship – Round 15
Glasgow Warriors v Zebre Parma
Referee: Chris Busby (IRFU, 29th league game)
ARs: Jonny Perriam (SRU) & Sam O‘Neil (SRU)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRFU)
Munster v Scarlets
Referee: Ben Blain (SRU, 30th league game)
ARs: Andrew Cole (IRFU) & Sam Holt (IRFU)
TMO: Andrew McMenemy (SRU)
DHL Stormers v Cell C Sharks
Referee: AJ Jacobs (SARU, 15th league game)
ARs: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU) & Cwengile Jadezweni (SARU)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU)
Vodacom Bulls v Emirates Lions
Referee: Jaco Peyper (SARU, 15th league game)
ARs: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SARU) & Griffon Colby (SARU)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (SARU)
Edinburgh Rugby v Leinster
Referee: Craig Evans (WRU, 42nd league game)
ARs: Sam Grove-White (SRU) & Ian Kenny (SRU)
TMO: Jon Mason (WRU)
Ospreys v Benetton
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU, 87th league game)
ARs: Mike English (WRU) & Carwyn Williams (WRU)
TMO: Mark Patton (IRFU)
Cardiff Rugby v Ulster
Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU, 4th league game)
ARs: Adam Jones (WRU) & Simon Rees (WRU)
TMO: Dave Sutherland (SRU)
Dragons RFC v Connacht
Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR, 32nd league game)
ARs: Jason Bessant (WRU) & Mark Butcher (WRU)
TMO: Stefano Roscini (FIR)
Wales: Indigo Welsh Premiership
Llandovery RFC v Cardiff RFC
Referee: Mike English
ARs: Steffan Edwards & Joseff Rees
TMO: Greg Morgan
Llanelli RFC v Pontypridd RFC
Referee: Dewi Phillips
ARs: Ian Davies & Carl Hyde
Swansea RFC v Ebbw Vale RFC
Referee: Gareth Newman
ARs: Elfyn Morris-Roberts & Simon Harris
Aberavon RFC v Newport RFC
Referee: Tom Spurrier
ARs: Elgan Williams & Richard Brace
Bridgend RFC v RGC
Referee: Rhys Jones
ARs: Aaron Parry & Neil Perkins
Carmarthen RFC v Merthyr RFC
Referee: Elliot Mayor
ARs: Gwyn Morris & Chris Oliver
Super Rugby Americas- round 3
Pampas v American Raptors
Referee: Matias Esteben
ARs: Juan Maio & Nicolas Cotic
TMO: Martin Gonzalez Deibe
Dogos XV v Penarol
Referee: Tomas Bertazza
ARs: Luca Solda & Juan Manuel Lopez
TMO: Marcelo Pilara
Selknam v Hawks
Referee: Frank Mendez
ARs: Sebastian Toledo & Rodrigo Puelma
TMO: NO Hay
Cobras v Yacare XV
Referee: Nehuen Jauri Rivero
ARs: Mauro Rossi & Victor Barboza
TMO: Lucas Galan
US MLR – Round 3
Dallas Jackals v Seattle Seawolves
Referee: Federico Anselmi (Arg)
ARs: Drew Low & Cole Jones
TMO: Derek Summers
ATL Rugby v NOLA Gold
Referee: Robin Kaluzniak (Can)
ARs: Pete Chamberlain & Bryan Hall
TMO: Nick Hannon
Chicago Rugby v Utah Warriors
Referee: Luke Rogan (USA)
ARs: Niall Little & David Zaccaria
TMO: Nick Hannon
Rugby New York v Old Glory DC
Referee: Scott Green (USA)
ARs: Lex Weiner & Marty Steffens
TMO: Miles McIvor
Houston Sabercats v San Diego Legion
Referee: Chris Assmus (Can)
ARs: Brian Dusablon & Jono Cooper
TMO: Austin Reed
Top14 – ROund 20
Montpellier Hérault Rugby v ASM Clermont Billets
Referee: Benoit Rousselet
ARs: D.Beun & S.Boyer
TMO: E.Gauzins
Section Paloise v Stade Rochelais
Referee: Vincent Blasco baque
ARs: K.BRALLEY & S.Crapoix
TMO: P.Bonhoure
CA Brive v Union Bordeaux-Bègles
Referee: Jonathan Gasnier
ARs: H.Lasausa lespy labaylette & P.Puharre
TMO: M.Zitouni
Castres Olympique v LOU Rugby
Referee: Adrien Descottes
ARs: M.Noirot & R.Duhau
TMO: S.Minery
USA Perpignan v Aviron Bayonnais
Referee: Adrien MARBOT
ARs: A.GROIZELEAU & L.Millotte
TMO: E.BRIQUET CAMPIN
RC Toulon v Stade Français Paris
Referee: Ludovic Cayre
ARs: P.Nuchy & C.Bats
TMO: C.Lafon
Racing 92 v Stade Toulousain
Referee: TBC
ARs: TBC & TBC
TMO: TBC
ProD2 – Round 23
Stade Montois Rugby v AS Béziers Hérault
Referee: Aurelie GROIZELEAU
ARs: Flavien Hourquet & Benoit Lapassade
TMO: Christophe Berdos
Provence Rugby v RC Vannes
Referee: Herve Lasausa lespy labaylette
ARs: M.Noirot & F.Hand
TMO: C.Marchat
Biarritz Olympique PB v RC Massy Essonne
Referee: Cyrille BOULAY
ARs: L.Frayssinet & S.Desvaux
TMO: J.Rebollal
Stade Aurillacois v Rouen Normandie Rugby
Referee: Evan URRUZMENDI
ARs: T.Chereque & G.Elias
TMO: J.Castaignede
SU Agen v Soyaux-Angoulême XV
Referee: Jean LESPES
ARs: E.Gleyze & D.Dayre
Arbitre nº4
TMO: N.Datas
USON Nevers v US Carcassonne
Referee: Bejamin Hernandez
ARs: R.Guatelli & S.Brayelle
TMO: A.Hadj bachir
FC Grenoble Rugby v US Montalbanaise
Referee: David Beun
ARs: A.LAC & D.LORRE
TMO: P.Pechambert
Oyonnax Rugby v Colomiers Rugby
Referee: Kevin BRALLEY
ARs: S.Coulon & B.Escoubet
TMO: P.Dellac