Following on from the men’s announcement yesterday, World Rugby have confirmed the Emirates Match Official appointments for the Guinness Women’s Six Nations.
This will be a crucial window for those involved as selection for the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 will follow soon after.
Thirteen officials from nine nations to take charge of 15 matches with a total of 29 officials from 14 nations being involved across the Championship.
Debuts
Ella Goldsmith (Aus), Precious Pazani (Zim) and Holly Wood (Eng) are set to referee their first matches in the Women’s Six Nations after performing AR roles previously. Pazani becomes the first African referee from outside of South Africa, to officiate in the Championship.
Also, Lauren Jenner (Ita via NZ) returns to the test arena for the first time since late 2023, having been on maternity leave during the last year. Amber MacLachlan (Aus) was also missing from last year’s comp, but makes a welcome return for the 2025 Championship.
Fresh from refereeing in the men’s Autumn Nations Series, Hollie Davidson (Scotland) will take charge of the opening 2025 Women’s Six Nations match between Ireland and France on 22 March. Maggie Cogger-Orr (New Zealand) will referee the final match, between England and France at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham on 26 April.
Assistant referee & TMO debuts
Four ARs will also make their Women’s Six Nations debuts. Shanda Assmus (Canada), Jess Ling (Australia), Amelia Luciano (USA) and Zoe Naude (South Africa) all travel, as will TMOs Oli Kellett (Australia) and Aaron Paterson (New Zealand).
For the second year, foul play review officers (aka, The Bunker) will be in operation – those appointments are listed below with each game.
Commenting on the appointments, Su Carty, chair of the Women’s Emirates World Rugby Match Officials Selection Committee and Executive Board member, said, “2025 represents a generational moment for the women’s game, our players and fans. But, it also marks a step change for our women’s game match official structures. We are a year into embedding a new structure with talent development, specialist coaching and robust performance review, all geared towards widening the pool of international quality match officials. The appointments on the road to England 2025 reflect that mission.”
Alhambra Nievas, Women’s High Performance Referee Manager, added, “We’re excited about the journey ahead of us in what will be the biggest-ever year for women’s Rugby.”
2025 Guinness Women’s Six Nations appointments
Round 1: 22-23 March
Ireland v France (in Belfast)
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Sco)
ARs: Holly Wood (Eng) & Amelia Luciano (USA)
TMO: Rachel Horton (Aus)
FPRO: Quinton Immelman (SA)
Scotland v Wales (in Edinburgh)
Referee: Kat Roche (USA)
ARs: Jess Ling (Aus) & Shanda Assmus (Can)
TMO: Oli Kellet (Aus)
FPRO: Ian Tempest (Eng)
England v Italy (in York)
Referee: Precious Pazani (Zim)
ARs: Natarsha Ganley (NZ) & Jess Ling (Aus)
TMO: Aaron Paterson (NZ)
FPRO: Leo Colgan (Ire)
Round 2: 29-30 March
France v Scotland (in La Rochelle)
Referee: Lauren Jenner (Ita)
ARs: Kat Roche (USA) & Amelia Luciano (USA)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (SA)
FPRO: Dan Jones (Eng)
Wales v England (in Cardiff)
Referee: Ella Goldsmith (Aus)
ARs: Aurélie Groizeleau (Fra) & Maria Heitor (Por)
TMO: Oliver Kellett (Aus)
FPRO: Matteo Liperini (Ita)
Italy v Ireland (in Parma)
Referee: Natarsha Ganley (NZ)
ARs: Precious Pazani (Zim) & Shanda Assmus (Can)
TMO: Aaron Paterson (NZ)
FPRO: Ian Tempest (Eng)
Round 3: 12-13 April
France v Wales (venue tbc)
Referee: Holly Wood (Eng)
ARs: Sara Cox (Eng) & Maria Heitor (Por)
TMO: Leo Colgan (Ire)
FPRO: Rachel Horton (Aus)
Ireland v England (in Cork)
Referee: Aurélie Groizeleau (Fra)
ARs: Clara Munarini (Ita) & Amber Stamp-Dunstan (Wal)
TMO: Andrew McMenemy (Sco)
FPRO: Matteo Liperini (Ita)
Scotland v Italy (in Edinburgh)
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SA)
ARs: Maria Latos (Ger) & Zoe Naude (SA)
TMO: Rachel Horton (Aus)
FPRO: Dan Jones (Eng)
Round 4: 19-20 April
Italy v France (in Parma)
Referee: Sara Cox (Eng)
ARs: Maria Latos (Ger) & Zoe Naude (SA)
TMO: Dan Jones (Eng)
FPRO: Rachel Horton (Aus)
England v Scotland (in Leicester)
Referee: Amber McLachlan (Aus)
ARs: Clara Munarini (Ita) & Amber Stamp-Dunstan (Wal)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (Ita)
FPRO: Leo Colgan (Ire)
Wales v Ireland (in Newport)
Referee: Lauren Jenner (Ita)
ARs: Aurélie Groizeleau (Fra) & Maria Heitor (Por)
TMO: Ian Tempest (Eng)
FPRO: Andrew McMenemy (Sco)
Round 5: 26 April
Scotland v Ireland (in Edinburgh)
Referee: Clara Munarini (Ita)
ARs: Holly Wood (Eng) & Amber Stamp-Dunstan (Wal)
TMO: Dan Jones (Eng)
FPRO: Matteo Liperini (Ita)
Italy v Wales (in Parma)
Referee: Amber McLachlan (Aus)
ARs: Sara Cox (Eng) & Maria Latos (Ger)
TMO: Andrew McMenemy (Sco)
FPRO: Ian Tempest (Eng)
England v France (in Twickenham)
Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr (NZ)
ARs: Lauren Jenner (Ita) & Maria Heitor (Por)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (SA)
FPRO: Leo Colgan (Ire)
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