- Hollie Davidson (Sco) become first female to referee in World u20s, with Kat Roche (USA) and Precious Pazani (ZIM) also taking charge in Trophy
- 18 nations represented across both tournaments including referees from Japan, Brazil, Canada, Fiji, Hong Kong China, Georgia & Zimbabwe
- Championship in SA starts on 24 June. Trophy kicks off in Kenya on 15 July
The match officials panels for the 2023 World Rugby U20 Championship (in SA) and Trophy (in Kenya) have been announced. Thirteen officials from 11 nations have been selected for the U20 Championship with a further eight officials named on the U20 Trophy panel.
Hollie Davidson (Scotland) will become the first female official to referee at the U20 Championship before Kat Roche (USA) and Precious Pazani (Zimbabwe) follow suit at the U20 Trophy in Kenya.
The U20 Championship referee panel also features former Japan men’s scrum half, Takehito Namekawa (pic left). He played in the 2009 and 2010 tournaments but now returns in a match officiating capacity. Hollie and Takehito will be joined by host of names hoping to follow a proven pathway for match officials – five of those from the 2019 U20 Championship were named last week on the panel for Rugby World Cup 2023.
The 12-team U20 Championship kicks off on 24 June through to 14 July, with Kenya following with the U20 Trophy, featuring eight teams, from 15-30 July. The U20s Championship will be using the Smartball and the TMO Bunker system for the first time. Matteo Liperini (Italy), Ben Blain (Scotland), Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa) will be the TMOs operating that in South Africa.
Congratulations to all those appointed.
World Rugby U20s Championship match official panel
Luc Ramos (France), Angus Mabey (New Zealand), Reuben Keane (Australia), Ben Breakspear (Wales), Hollie Davidson (Scotland), Eoghan Cross (Ireland), Anthony Woodthorpe (England), Takehito Namekawa (Japan), Morne Ferreira (South Africa), Damian Schneider (Argentina)
TMOs: Matteo Liperini (Italy), Ben Blain (Scotland), Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa).
World Rugby U20s Trophy referee panel
Cisco Lopez (USA), Cauã Ricardo Santos Maria (Brazil), Robin Kaluzniak (Canada), Tevita Rokovereni (Fiji), Kat Roche (USA ), Precious Pazani (Zimbabwe), Saba Abulashvili (Georgia), Craig Chan (Hong Kong China).