The match official appointments for the friendlies being held in run to the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 have been announced.
In total, 20 of the 22-strong panel for England 2025 have appointments for these warm-up matches held in 11 countries across all six rugby regions. The two who aren’t involved ate Hollie Davidson who is refereeing and ARing in the men’s July international window and TMO, Quinton Immelman (SA) who will be on TMO and FPRO duties in the World u20s Championships in Italy.
Clara Munarini (Italy) will take charge of the opening match between South Africa and Canada at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on 5 July. That will be double header, followed by the Springboks’ first test with Italy, which Davidson will referee. Munarini’s second appointment – Ireland v Scotland in Cork on 2 August – will be her 35th test, taking her past Clare Daniels. That means Rugby World Cup 2025 will have the five most-capped female officials in history involved.
Busy window with Canadian debuts
Aurélie Groizeleau (Fra) has three warm-up matches with two tests each for Sara Cox (Eng), Natarsha Ganley (NZ), Lauren Jenner (Ita) and Munarini.
Canadian officials will make their test debuts, with Emma Gallagher and Kristine Lovatt each overseeing Women’s Rugby World Cup debutants Brazil against the Netherlands in a two match series.
Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 warm-up matches
5 July 2025
South Africa v Canada (in Pretoria)
Referee: Clara Munarini (Ita)
ARs: Precious Pazani (Zim) & Zoe Naude (SA)
TMO: Egon Seconds (SA)
12 July 2025
New Zealand v Australia (in Wellington)
Referee: Kat Roche (USA)
ARs: Natarsha Ganley (NZ) & Jess Ling (Aus)
TMO: Rachel Horton (Aus)
FPRO: Estelle Whaiapu (NZ)
South Africa v Canada (in Port Elizabeth)
Referee: Precious Pazani (Zim)
ARs: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SA) & Zoe Naude (SA)
TMO: Christie du Preez (SA)
Brazil v Netherlands (in Jacarei)
Referee: Emma Gallagher (Can)
ARs: Kristine Lovatt (Can) & Host Union appointment
19 July 2025
Japan v Spain (in Kitakyushu)
Referee: Lauren Jenner (Ita)
ARs: Precious Pazani (Zim) & Hibiki Ikeda (Jpn)
USA v Fiji (in Washington DC)
Referee: Sara Cox (Eng)
ARs: Kat Roche (USA) & Amelia Luciano (USA)
TMO: Andrew McMenemy (Sco)
FPRO: Austin Reed (USA)
Brazil v Netherlands (in São Paulo)
Referee: Kristine Lovatt (Can)
ARs: Emma Gallagher (Can) & Host Union appointment
TMO: Marcelo Pilara (Arg)
25-27 July 2025
Italy v Scotland (in Viadana)
Referee: Aurélie Groizeleau (Fra)
ARs: Maria Heitor (Por) & Amber Stamp-Dunstan (Wal)
TMO: Ian Tempest (Eng)
Australia v Wales (in Brisbane)
Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr (NZ)
ARs: Natarsha Ganley (NZ) & Jess Ling (Aus)
TMO: Rachel Horton (Aus)
FPRO: Oli Kellett (Aus)
Japan v Spain (in Tokyo)
Referee: Lauren Jenner (Ita)
ARs: Precious Pazani (Zim) & Hibiki Ikeda (Jpn)
1-2 August 2025
Australia v Wales (in Sydney)
Referee: Natarsha Ganley (NZ)
ARs: Maggie Cogger-Orr (NZ) & Jess Ling (Aus)
TMO: Rachel Horton (Aus)
FPRO: Oli Kellett (Aus)
Canada v USA (in Ottawa)
Referee: Ella Goldsmith (Aus)
ARs: Kat Roche (USA) & Amelia Luciano (USA)
TMO: Chris Assmus (Can)
Ireland v Scotland (in Cork)
Referee: Clara Munarini (Ita)
ARs: Holly Wood (Eng) & Amber Stamp-Dunstan (Wal)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (Ita)
England v Spain (in Leicester)
Referee: Aurélie Groizeleau (Fra)
ARs: Sara Cox (Eng) & Maria Heitor (Por)
TMO: TBC
9 August 2025
Fiji v Samoa (in Lautoka)
Referee: Natarsha Ganley (NZ)
ARs: Jess Ling (Aus) & Chloe Sampson (NZ)
Ireland v Canada (in Belfast)
Referee: Aurélie Groizeleau (Fra)
ARs: Lauren Jenner (Ita) & Berenice Bralley (Fra)
TMO: Andrew McMenemy (Sco)
France v England (in Mont de Marsan)
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SA)
ARs: Clara Munarini (Ita) & Maria Heitor (Por)
TMO: Leo Colgan (Ire)
Italy v Japan (in Calvisano)
Referee: Sara Cox (Eng)
ARs: Holly Wood (Eng) & Amber Stamp-Dunstan (Wal)
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