Another busy weekend of rugby around the world. In Canada, Kat Roche (pictured top left) referees the WXV1 match up between the England Roses and the Black Ferns. [Edit – appt change. Now Aurélie Groizeleau to referee] Gro It’ll be interesting to see how that goes, after the big win by the Roses a few weeks ago in London. Canada’s Shanda Assmus (top right), meanwhile, will make her test debut in Dubai, where Madagascar play Hong Kong China in WXV3.
In France, Bordeaux-Begles have continued in the Top14 where they left off last season. While they lost the final last year, they have started the league campaign with three wins out of four. They host Bayonne this weekend with Benoit Rousselet (bottom right) taking charge. Congrats to Luke Pearce who clocks up his 400th first class game, in what will be his 153rd English Premiership game up at Sale.
In New Zealand it’s the last round of the NPC and Heartlands plus the final of the Farah Palmer Cup where Warwick Lahmert (bottom left) takes his first final. He was a former professional player who intriguingly switched from the NZ 7s set up to the England 7s team ahead of the Rio Olympics. Now switched to the whistle. We also have appointments from across Rugby Europe, URC, the top men’s and women’s leagues in England, Ireland and Scotland, and just the men’s in Hong Kong China (women’s league has a delayed start due to them being at WXV).
Enjoy the weekend
Keith
WXV
WXV 1 – Langley, Canada
USA v France
Referee: Julianne Zussman (Can)
ARs: Sara Cox (Eng) & RC appt
TMO: Ian Tempest (Eng)
Canada v Ireland
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SA)
ARs: Maggie Cogger-Orr (NZ) & Aurélie Groizeleau (Fra)
TMO: Andrew McMenemy (Sco)
New Zealand v England
Referee: Kat Roche (USA) Aurélie Groizeleau (Fra)
ARs: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SA) Aurélie Groizeleau (Fra) & RC appt
TMO: Quinton Immelman (SA)
WXV 2 – Athlone Sports Stadium, Cape Town
Wales v Italy
Referee: Ella Goldsmith (Aus)
ARs: Amelia Luciano (USA) & SARU appt
TMO: Aaron Paterson (NZ)
Japan v Scotland
Referee: Zoe Naude (SA)
ARs: Clara Munarini (Ita) & SARU appt
TMO: Matteo Liperini (Ita)
South Africa v Australia
Referee: Precious Pazani (Zim)
ARs: Amelia Luciano (USA) & Maria Latos (Ger)
TMO: Estelle Whaiapu (NZ)
WXV 3 – The Sevens, Dubai, UAE
Madagascar v Hong Kong China
Referee: Shanda Assmus (Can)
ARs: Tyler Miller (Aus) & Melissa Leboeuf (Fra)
TMO: Maria Heitor (Por)
Fiji v Samoa
Referee: Holly Wood (Eng)
ARs: Natarsha Ganley (NZ) & Sunny Lee (HKC)
TMO: Dan Jones (Eng)
Netherlands v Spain
Referee: Jess Ling (Aus)
ARs: Tyler Miller (Aus) & Sunny Lee (HKC)
TMO: Rachel Horton (Aus)
Rugby Europe Conference 2024/2025
Denmark v Finland
Referee: Joshua Jahn (Ger)
Malta v Cyprus
Referee: Diogo Inacio (Por)
Serbia v Moldova
Referee: Vaidotas Girdvainis (Lit)
Türkiye v Bulgaria
Referee: Shota Tsagreishvili (Geo)
Bosnia Herzegovina v Montenegro
Referee: Ivan Zelic (Cro)
Kosovo v Montenegro
Referee: Vadims Galajevs (Lat)
BKT United Rugby Championship – Round 3
Scarlets v Connacht
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU, 23rd league game)
ARs: Mike English (WRU) & Ben Connor (WRU)
TMO: Christopher Allison (SARU)
Cardiff Rugby v Glasgow Warriors
Referee: Morne Ferreira (SARU, 11th league game)
ARs: Rhys Jones (WRU) & Gareth Newman (WRU)
TMO: Griffon Colby (SARU)
Emirates Lions v Edinburgh Rugby
Referee: Adam Jones (WRU, 39th league game)
ARs: Henru van Rooyen (SARU) & Stephan Geldenhuys (SARU)
TMO: Keith David (WRU)
Vodacom Bulls v Ulster
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU, 101st league game)
ARs: JD Jadezweni (SARU) & Dylan November (SARU)
TMO: Ben Breakspear (WRU)
Benetton v Leinster
Referee: Craig Evans (WRU, 58th league game)
ARs: Federico Vedovelli (FIR) & Alex Frasson (FIR)
TMO: Aled Griffiths (WRU)
Dragons RFC v Hollywoodbets Sharks
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU, 97th league game)
ARs: Ben Connor (WRU) AR 2: Nathan James (WRU)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRFU)
Munster v Ospreys
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU, 84th league game)
ARs: Keane Davison (IRFU) & Chris Lough (IRFU)
TMO: Sam Grove-White (SRU)
Zebre Parma v DHL Stormers
Referee: Chris Busby (IRFU, 45th league game)
ARs: Fillipo Russo (FIR) AR 2: Franco Rosella (FIR)
TMO: Mark Patton (IRFU)
West Asia Super Rugby – week 1
Dubai Hurricanes v Dubai Sharks
Referee: Jaco de Wit
ARs: Matt Riley & Tony Duminy
Abu Dhabu Harlequins v Jebel Ali Dragons
Referee: James Fairbourn
ARs: Niell Horn & JP Clements
England: Gallagher Premiership – round 3
Northampton Saints v Harlequins
Referee: Matthew Carley (142nd Premiership match)
ARs: George Selwood & Wayne Falla
TMO: Rowan Kitt
Sale Sharks v Gloucester Rugby
Referee: Luke Pearce (153rd Premiership match)
ARs: Hamish Smales & Gareth Holsgrove
TMO: Andrew Jackson
Bath Rugby v Bristol Bears
Referee: Christophe Ridley (80th Premiership match)
ARs: Anthony Woodthorpe & Jamie Leahy
TMO: Dean Richards
Newcastle Falcons v Leicester Tigers
Referee: Jack Makepeace (24th Premiership match)
ARs: Adam Leal & Peter Allan
TMO: Hamish Smales
Saracens v Exeter Chiefs
Referee: Karl Dickson (89th Premiership match)
ARs: Joe James & Jonathan Healy
TMO: David Rose
England: RFU Championship
London Scottish v Cornish Pirates
Referee: Harry Walbaum
ARs: James Clarke & TBC
Nottingham v Ampthill
Referee: Jonathan Cook
ARs: Simon Park & James Cornell
Cambridge v Coventry
Referee: Alex Thomas
ARs: Gregg Dawson & James Pidding
Ealing Trailfinders v Doncaster Knights
Referee: Tom Foley
ARs: Richard Gordon & Jonathan Healy
Bedford Blues v Hartpury University
Referee: Hamish Grant
ARs: James Clarke & Ryan Collier
Chinnor v Caldy
Referee: Andrew Jackson
ARs: Andy Wigley & Calum Howard
England: PWR – Round 1
Saracens Women v Trailfinders Women
Referee: George Selwood
ARs: Neil Chivers & Simon Adams
Harlequins Women v Exeter Chiefs Women
Referee: Nikki O’Donnell
ARs: Jonathan Cook & Darryl Chapman
Loughborough Lightning v Bristol Bears Women
Referee: Charlie Gayther
ARs: James Cornell & Fiona Brunt
Gloucester-Hartpury Women v Leicester Tigers Women
Referee: Mike Hudson
ARs: Neil Chivers & Veryan Boscawen
France: Top 14 – round 5
RC Vannes v Racing 92
Referee: Tual Trainini
ARs: Walter Prache & Evan Urruzmendi
TMO: Laurent Sclafer
Stade Français Paris v Montpellier Hérault Rugby
Referee: Pierre Baptiste Nuchy
ARs: Kevin Bralley & Mourad Gharbi Tarchouna
TMO: Cyril Lafon
Stade Rochelais v LOU Rugby
Referee: Jonathan Gasnier
ARs: Frederic Chazal & Flavien Hourquet
TMO: Patrick Dellac
Union Bordeaux-Bègles v Aviron Bayonnais
Referee: Benoit Rousselet
ARs: Sylvain Jaymes & Jeremy Rozier
TMO: Cedric Marchat
USA Perpignan v Section Paloise
Referee: Pierre Brousset
ARs: Vincent Blasco Baque & Thierry Mallet
TMO: Philippe Bonhoure
Castres Olympique v Stade Toulousain
Referee: Ludovic Cayre
ARs: Stephane Crapoix & Anthony Lac
TMO: Julien Castaignede
ASM Clermont v RC Toulon
Referee: Adrien Marbot
ARs: Benoit Lapassade & Vivien Praderie
TMO: Eric Gauzins
Ireland: Energia All Ireland League
Ballynahinch v St Marys College RFC
Referee: Padraic Reidy
Cork Constitution v Young Munster
Referee: George Clancy
Garryowen v City of Armagh
Referee: Robbie Jenkinson
Terenure College RFC v Lansdowne
Referee: Peter Martin
UCD v Clontarf
Referee: Jonathan Erskine
Ireland: Energia Womens AIL League
Old Belvedere v Blackrock College RFC
Referee: Mark Hynes
UL Bohemian v Railway Union
Referee: Kevin Coffey
Scotland: Arnold Clark Women’s Premiership
Stewartry WRFC v Stirling County WRFC
Referee: Jayme McGoldrick
ARs: Yvonne Tunnicliff & Marsha Peasley
Hillhead Jordanhill WRFC v Garioch WRFC
Referee: Simeon Dewi
ARs: Rosie Evans & George Downie
Heriots Rugby Women v Cartha Queens Park WRFC
Referee: Matthew Gregg
ARs: John Cramb & Sean Bicknell
Corstorphine Cougars WRFC v Watsonians WRFC
Referee: Michael Carroll
ARs: Walter Gaffney & Sean Mallon
Scotland: Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership
Watsonians v Heriot’s Rugby Men
Referee: Michael Todd
ARs: Calum Wehmeyer & David Changleng
Selkirk v Edinburgh Academical
Referee: Ruairidh Campbell
ARs: Alex Obreja & Digby Thomas
Musselburgh v Hawick
Referee: Samuel O’Neil
ARs: Willie Anderson & Kevin McGhee
Glasgow Hawks v Melrose Rugby
Referee: David Sutherland
ARs: Daniel Evans & Dave McKervail
Currie Chieftains v Marr
Referee: Ian Kenny
ARs: Scott Cubitt & Allan Parry
Kelso v Ayr
Referee: Rob McDowell
ARs: Danny Blair & Bob Nevins
Hong Kong China: Nan Fung Group | AIRSIDE Mens Premiership
Societe Generale Valley RFC vs Kroll USRC Tigers RFC
Referee: Stephen Copeman (62nd Prem Appointment)
ARs: Francesco Cammisa & Matt Rodden
HKFC Natixis Club vs HKU Sandy Bay RFC
Referee: Morgan White (25th Prem Appointment)
ARs: Patrick Kwok & Allen Judge
DLA Piper Kowloon Rugby Club vs MND Hong Kong Scottish
Referee: Craig Chan (30th Prem Appointment)
ARs: Rowan Turner & Sam Chan
New Zealand: Bunnings NPC – round 9
Northland v Otago
Referee: Angus Mabey
ARs: Nathan Chestnut & Leo Palmer
TMO: Llew Smart
Manawatu v Counties Manukau
Referee: Paul Williams
ARs: Stu Curran & Matt McEwen
TMO: Carl Baker
Wellington v Hawke’s Bay
Referee: Todd Petrie
ARs: Jack Sargentina & Charlie Harris
TMO: Jared Clarke
Southland v North Harbour
Referee: James Doleman
ARs: Sam Nicholson & Josh Hamill
TMO: Cassie Watt
Canterbury v Waikato
Referee: Marcus Playle
ARs: William Todd & John Whitcombe
TMO: Gareth Reed
Tasman v Taranaki
Referee: Fraser Hannon
ARs: Aidan Barnett & Brad Evans
TMO: Reece Weir
Auckland v Bay of Plenty
Referee: Dan Waenga
ARs: Tim Oliff & Tomas Roche
TMO: Robert Harman
NZ: Heartland Championship – round 8
East Coast v Wairarapa Bush
Referee: Stu Catley
ARs: Matt Richards & Joe Coleman
Mid Canterbury v Poverty Bay
Referee: Dan Moore
ARs: Nathan Forbes & Hamish Grant
North Otago v Buller
Referee: Caleb Neilson
ARs: Jared Fox & John Keenan
Thames Valley v Horowhenua Kapiti
Referee: Ben Woolerton
ARs: Stu Watts & Ryan Rogers
Whanganui v King Country
Referee: Nick Hogan
ARs: Jacob Booth & Amon Rimene
West Coast v South Canterbury
Referee: Ben Alexander
ARs: Chris O’Malley & Steve Petrie
New Zealand: 2024 Farah Palmer Cup Final
Waikato v Canterbury
Referee: Warwick Lahmert
ARs: Tiana Anderson & Chloe Sampson
TMO: Robert Harman