- Ben O’Keeffe, Andrea Piardi and Nika Amashukeli to referee British and Irish Lions tests v Australia
- Twenty-four referees from 11 nations to take charge of 27 tests in July window
- A total of 38 matches will be played in the window with 28 referees used in total
- Piardi and Amashukeli become the first Italian and Georgian to referee British and Irish Lions tests.
- James Doleman (New Zealand), Paul Williams (New Zealand) and Pierre Brousset (France) will also referee in the Lions series
World Rugby has just announced the Emirates Match Official appointments for the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia and a busy window of July internationals.
Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), Andrea Piardi (Italy) and Nika Amashukeli (Georgia) will each take charge of one Lions test in Australia. They will each run as ARs in the other tests. TMOs will be Richard Kelly (New Zealand), Eric Gauzins (France) and Marius Jonker (South Africa). Piardi and Nika Amashukeli become the first Italian and Georgian respectively to take charge of a Lions test.
James Doleman (New Zealand) will referee the opening test of the July window with the Lions encounter with Argentina in Dublin on 20 June, with Amashukeli taking charge of the final match with the third Lions test in Sydney on 2 August. The Rugby Championship then kicks on – appointments for those will be announced later.
Second Lion’s test for O’Keeffe
O’Keeffe will take charge of his second Lions test, having overseen the second test of the 2021 tour to South Africa. He will referee the first test in Brisbane.
Summer window
Nic Berry (Australia) will referee the opening test between New Zealand and France in Dunedin – his 40th test in the middle.
Hollie Davidson (Scotland) returns to South Africa to referee the Springboks’ first test with Italy in Pretoria on 5 July.
Selection
World Rugby confirmed that selection for the Lions series has been based on experience, form and the principle of neutrality. They will be collaborating closely with all teams involved in the July test window to ensure an aligned and positive approach to the match officials/coaches’ relationship.
Chair of the Emirates World Rugby Match Officials Selection Committee, Su Carty said, “With new global competitions to commence in 2026, our long-term focus continues to be on ensuring we have a widened pool of top level international match officials on the road to Rugby World Cups in the USA, and this selection represents that strategic ambition.
“I would like to congratulate and thank the match officials selected who earn their places on merit. I know how hard this group strives for excellence on and off the field, whether that be via rigorous performance review, fitness or culture, and we look forward to seeing them in action.”
World Rugby High Performance 15s Match Officials Manager, Joël Jutge added, “Our collective focus continues to be on arriving at Australia 2027 with a team performing to its fullest potential, facilitating an exciting game for players and fans.
“The foundations are in place with the ‘critical few’, co-created and agreed with coaches in 2024 as performance indicators around speed, space, safety, scrum and lineout. We are collectively focused on consistent application and the 2025 July tests represent another milestone on the road to Australia.”
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