In South Africa, it’s the final of the World u20 Championships on Friday as France play England. We’re seeing the results of years of investment and focus in Japan’s referees at the moment, as Takehito Namekawa (pictured top right) takes charge of this final. This comes days after his compatriot Katsuki Furuse took charge of the Trophy final in Edinburgh yesterday. Go well Name!

At the other end of the career trajectory, Mathieu Raynal (top left) takes charge of his final match before retiring (and starting his new role in the FFR/LNR), as he oversees the Chile v Scotland match in Santiago. Hollie Davidson (bottom right) again picks up another ‘first’, as she referees the Springboks who are playing Portugal.

The Olympics 7s kicks off this week with the men’s tournament going first from Wednesday. The women’s tournament follows next weekend. In the US, it’s quarter finals weekend for both east and western conferences of the MLR and in South Africa the Currie Cup continues, as does the women’s Prem and Div 1. Griffin Colby (bottom left) will referee the Lions v Griquas match-up.

Enjoy your weekend!
Keith

World Rugby u20 Championships – Finals day

Spain v Fiji (11th place play-off)
Referee: Federico Vedovelli (FIR)
ARs: Christopher Allison (SARU) & Eon van Zyl (SARU)
TMO: Tual Trainini (FFR)

Georgia v Italy (9th place play-off)
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SARU)
ARs: Dylen November (SARU) & Eon van Zyl (SARU)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (SARU)

Wales v South Africa (7th place play-off)
Referee: Reuben Keane (RA)
ARs: Sam Grove White (SRU) & Neheun Jauri Rivero (UAR)
TMO: Mark Patton (IRFU)

Argentina v Australia (5th place play-off)
Referee: Morné Ferreira (SARU)
ARs: Christopher Allison (SARU) & Dylen November (SARU)
TMO: Ben Crouse (SARU)

Ireland v New Zealand (3rd place play-off)
Referee: Saba Abulashvili (GEO)
ARs: Adam Jones (WRU) & Neheun Jauri Rivero (UAR)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU)

France v England – Final
Referee: Takehito Namekawa (JRFU)
ARs: Sam Grove White (SRU) & Adam Jones (WRU)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)

Olympic Games Paris 2024 – men’s

Wed 24th: Men’s tournament: Ben Breakspear (Wales), Paulo Duarte (Portugal), Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy), Francisco González (Uruguay), Nick Hogan (New Zealand), AJ Jacobs (South Africa), Reuben Keane (Australia), Adam Leal (England), Tevita Rokovereni (Fiji), Jérémy Rozier (France), Morné Ferreira (South Africa) & Jordan Way (Australia) 
Note: Women’s tournament kicks off on Sun 28th so referees will be listed next week)

Men’s internationals

Queensland Reds v Wales

Referee:  Damon Murphy (RA)
ARs: Matt Kellehan (RA) & Jeremy Markey (RA)
TMO: Graham Cooper (RA)

Tonga v Spain
Referee: Pierre Brousset (FFR)
ARs: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR) & Jordan Kaminski (RA)

Australia v Georgia
Referee: James Doleman (NZR)
ARs: Paul Williams (NZR) & Angus Mabey (NZR)
TMO: Richard Kelly (NZR)

New Zealand v Fiji (in San Diego)
Referee: Matthew Carley (RFU)
ARs: Anthony Woodthorpe (RFU) & Luke Rogan (USAR)
TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU)

South Africa v Portugal
Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU)
ARs: Craig Evans (WRU) & Mike Adamson (SRU)
TMO: Andrew McMenemy (SRU)

Uruguay v Argentina
Referee: Luc Ramos (FFR)
ARs: Chris Busby (IRFU) & Frank Méndez (Chile)
TMO: Olly Hodges (IRFU)

Brazil v Hong Kong China
Referee: Pablo Deluca (UAR)
ARs: Simon Larrubia (UAR) & Federico Solari (UAR)

Paraguay v Belgium
Referee: Mauro Rossi (UAR)
ARs: Juan Sebastián Maio (UAR) & Juan Martínez (UAR)

Chile v Scotland
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (FFR)
ARs: Andrew Brace (IRFU) & Gonzalo De Achaval (UAR)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)

Japan v Italy
Referee: Christophe Ridley (RFU)
ARs: Nic Berry (RA) & George Myers (RA)
TMO: Brett Cronan (RA)

USA: MLR Conference Semi Finals

New England Free Jacks v Old Glory DC
Referee: Lex Weiner
ARs: Jarrod Ford & Miles McIvor
TMO: Cam Russell

Houston Sabercats v Dallas Jackals
Referee: Federico Anselmi
ARs: Amelia Luciano & Aaron Davis
TMO: Derek Summers

NOLA Gold v Chicago Hounds
Referee: Scott Green
ARs: Marquise Goodwin & Austin Reed
TMO: Cam Russell

Seattle Seawolves v San Diego Legion
Referee: Luke Rogan
ARs: Chris Assmus & Mike Lawrenson
TMO: Derek Summers

South Africa: Carling Currie Cup Premier Division

Fidelity ADT Lions v Suzuki Griquas
Referee: Griffin Colby

Vodacom Bulls v Toyota Cheetahs
Referee: Sean Muller

Hollywoodbets Sharks XV v Airlink Pumas
Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys

Novavit Griffons v DHL Western Province
Referee: Hanru van Rooyen

Carling Currie Cup First Division Semi-Finals

Sanlam Boland Kavaliers v Phangela SWD Eagles
Referee: Jonathan Lottering

Eastern Province v Valke
Referee: Ruhan Meiring

SA Rugby Women’s Premier Division

Bulls Daisies v DHL Western Province
Referee: Stiaan Marx

Border Ladies v Golden Lions Women
Referee: Aneka Fick

EP Queens v Sanlam Boland Dames
Referee: Siya Mhana

Sharks Women v Free State Women
Referee: Caleb Hibbert

SA Rugby Women First Division

SWD Eagirls v Griquas Women
Referee: John McDuling

Leopards Women v Griffons Women
Referee: Yohane Halgryn

Pumas Women v Valke Women
Referee: Blessings Sibande

World Rugby u20 Trophy – Finals (Edinburgh)

(Games played on Wed 17th)

Hong Kong China v Kenya (7th place play-off)
Referee: Caua Ricardo Santos (Bra)

Samoa v Netherlands (5th place play-off)
Referee: Ruairidh Campbell (Sco)

Japan v Uruguay (3rd place play-off)
Referee: Morgan White (HKC)

Scotland v USA (Final)
Referee: Katsuki Furuse (Jpn)