- Three referees – Tarsh Ganley, Ella Goldsmith and Kat Roche – to make Rugby World Cup debuts in the middle
- Sara Cox to become first female to referee 50 tests with Japan v Spain on 7 September
- Aimee Barrett-Theron will referee the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 opening match – England v USA in Sunderland on 22 August.
World Rugby has announced the Emirates Match Official appointments for the 24 matches that make up the three rounds of pool matches at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup.
Barrett-Theron has again been handed the opening match, having refereed England’s encounter with Spain at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017 in Ireland.
A significant milestone will be reached on the last day of the pool stage on 7 September, with Sara Cox becoming the first female to referee 50 test matches when she takes charge of Japan v Spain in York.
Highlights and milestones
- Maria Heitor becomes the first Portuguese official on the Rugby World Cup stage.
- Precious Pazani (Zimbabwe) is the first African female from outside South Africa to officiate at a RWC
- It’s Sara Cox’s fifth Women’s Rugby World Cup, having ARd in 2010 and 2014 before refereeing in the last two tournaments.
- Natarsha Ganley, Ella Goldsmith (Australia) and Kat Roche (USA) will make their Rugby World Cup refereeing debuts.
- Aurélie Groizeleau’s first appointment – Canada v Fiji in York on 23 August – will be her 40th test as a referee, making her the fourth female to reach the milestone after Barrett-Theron, Cox and Davidson.
- Four officials will referee three matches in the pool stage in Maggie Cogger-Orr (New Zealand), Cox, Groizeleau (France) and Hollie Davidson (Scotland).
- Hollie Davidson will referee Brazil’s first-ever Women’s Rugby World Cup match against South Africa in Northampton on 24 August.
Speaking at the announcement, Su Carty, Chair of Emirates World Rugby Match Officials Selection Committee and WR Executive Board member, said, “Firstly, a big congratulations to the match officials, who have earned their place and appointments on merit. Rugby is a team sport, and every step of the way, this group of exceptional people have worked tirelessly as a team to calibrate, review and advance. This will continue throughout Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025. I know that they are all excited in playing their part in facilitating great matches that will be at the heart of an era-defining competition.”
World Rugby Women’s High Performance Referee Manager Alhambra Nievas added, “Congratulations to all our match officials. Everyone will play their part in the pool phase. With less than 50 days to go, we are all now focused on being the best we can be on and off the field. There is an incredible camaraderie and bond within this group, and I look forward to seeing our team in action, doing what they do best at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025.”
Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 match official panel
Referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa), Maggie Cogger-Orr (New Zealand), Sara Cox (England), Hollie Davidson (Scotland), Ella Goldsmith (Australia), Natarsha Ganley (New Zealand), Aurélie Groizeleau (France), Lauren Jenner (Italy), Clara Munarini (Italy), Kat Roche (USA).
Assistant referees: Maria Heitor (Portugal), Jess Ling (Australia), Amelia Luciano (USA), Precious Pazani (Zimbabwe, reserve referee), Amber Stamp-Dunstan (Wales), Holly Wood (England).
Television Match Officials: Leo Colgan (Ireland), Rachel Horton (Australia), Quinton Immelman (South Africa), Matteo Liperini (Italy), Andrew McMenemy (Scotland), Ian Tempest (England).
Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Pool stage appointments
Round 1: 22-24 August
England v USA
Stadium of Light, Sunderland
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SA)
ARs: Natarsha Ganley (NZ) & Maria Heitor (Por)
TMO: Leo Colgan (Ire)
FPRO: Rachel Horton (Aus)
Australia v Samoa
Salford Community Stadium, Manchester
Referee: Lauren Jenner (Ita)
ARs: Precious Pazani (Zim) & Amelia Luciano (USA)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (Ita)
FPRO: Andrew McMenemy (Sco)
Scotland v Wales
Salford Community Stadium, Manchester
Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr (NZ)
ARs: Holly Wood (Eng) & Jess Ling (Aus)
TMO: Ian Tempest (Eng)
FPRO: Rachel Horton (Aus)
Canada v Fiji
Community Stadium, York
Referee: Aurélie Groizeleau (Fra)
ARs: Kat Roche (USA) & Amber Stamp-Dunstan (Wal)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (SA)
FPRO: Andrew McMenemy (Sco)
France v Italy
Sandy Park, Exeter
Referee: Sara Cox (Eng)
ARs: Natarsha Ganley (NZ) & Maria Heitor (Por)
TMO: Leo Colgan (Ire)
FPRO: Rachel Horton (Aus)
Ireland v Japan
Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton
Referee: Clara Munarini (Ita)
ARs: Precious Pazani (Zim) & Amelia Luciano (USA)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (Ita)
FPRO: Andrew McMenemy (Sco)
South Africa v Brazil
Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Sco)
ARs: Holly Wood (Eng) & Jess Ling (Aus)
TMO: Ian Tempest (Eng)
FPRO: Rachel Horton (Aus)
New Zealand v Spain
Community Stadium, York
Referee: Ella Goldsmith (Aus)
ARs: Kat Roche (USA) & Amber Stamp-Dunstan (Wal)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (SA)
FPRO: Andrew McMenemy (Sco)
Round 2: 30-31 August
Canada v Wales
Salford Community Stadium, Manchester
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Sco)
ARs: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SA) & Jess Ling (Aus)
TMO: Leo Colgan (Ire)
FPRO: Quinton Immelman (SA)
Scotland v Fiji
Salford Community Stadium, Manchester
Referee: Lauren Jenner (Ita)
ARs: Holly Wood (Eng) & Amelia Luciano (USA)
TMO: Rachel Horton (Aus)
FPRO: Ian Tempest (Eng)
England v Samoa
Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton
Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr (NZ)
ARs: Clara Munarini (Ita) & Amber Stamp-Dunstan (Wal)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (Ita)
FPRO: Quinton Immelman (SA)
USA v Australia
York Community Stadium, York
Referee: Sara Cox (Eng)
ARs: Precious Pazani (Zim) & Maria Heitor (Por)
TMO: Andrew McMenemy (Sco)
FPRO: Ian Tempest (Eng)
Ireland v Spain
Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton
Referee: Kat Roche (USA)
ARs: Clara Munarini (Ita) & Amber Stamp-Dunstan (Wal)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (Ita)
FPRO: Ian Tempest (Eng)
New Zealand v Japan
Sandy Park, Exeter
Referee: Aurélie Groizeleau (Fra)
ARs: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SA) & Jess Ling (Aus)
TMO: Leo Colgan (Ire)
FPRO: Quinton Immelman (SA)
Italy v South Africa
York Community Stadium, York
Referee: Ella Goldsmith (Aus)
ARs: Precious Pazani (Zim) & Maria Heitor (Por)
TMO: Andrew McMenemy (Sco)
FPRO: Ian Tempest (Eng)
France v Brazil
Sandy Park, Exeter
Referee: Natarsha Ganley (NZ)
ARs: Holly Wood (Eng) & Amelia Luciano (USA)
TMO: Rachel Horton (Aus)
FPRO: Quinton Immelman (SA)
Round 3 – 6-7 September
Canada v Scotland
Sandy Park, Exeter
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SA)
ARs: Ella Goldsmith (Aus) & Maria Heitor (Por)
TMO: Rachel Horton (Aus)
FPRO: Leo Colgan (Ire)
USA v Samoa
York Community Stadium, York
Referee: Natarsha Ganley (NZ)
ARs: Holly Wood (Eng) & Amber Stamp-Dunstan (Wal)
TMO: Ian Tempest (Eng)
FPRO: Matteo Liperini (Ita)
Wales v Fiji
Sandy Park, Exeter
Referee: Kat Roche (USA)
ARs: Lauren Jenner (Ita) & Jess Ling (Aus)
TMO: Andrew McMenemy (Sco)
FPRO: Leo Colgan (Ire)
England v Australia
Brighton & Hove Albion Stadium, Brighton
Referee: Aurélie Groizeleau (Fra)
ARs: Precious Pazani (Zim) & Amelia Luciano (USA)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (SA)
FPRO: Matteo Liperini (Ita)
Japan v Spain
York Community Stadium, York
Referee: Sara Cox (Eng)
ARs: Holly Wood (Eng) & Amber Stamp-Dunstan (Wal)
TMO: Ian Tenmpest (Eng)
FPRO: Matteo Liperini (Ita)
Italy v Brazil
Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton
Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr (NZ)
ARs: Ella Goldsmith (Aus) & Maria Heitor (Por)
TMO: Andrew McMeneny (Sco)
FPRO: Leo Colgan (Ire)
New Zealand v Ireland
Brighton & Hove Albion Stadium, Brighton & Hove
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Sco)
ARs: Precious Pazani (Zim) & Amelia Luciano (USA)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (SA)
FPRO: Matteo Liperini (Ita)
France v South Africa
Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton
Referee: Clara Munarini (Ita)
ARs: Lauren Jenner (Ita) & Jess Ling (Aus)
TMO: Rachel Horton (Aus)
FPRO: Leo Colgan (Ire)
Quarter finals
New Zealand v South Africa
Referee: Sara Cox (Eng)
ARs: Ella Goldsmith (Aus) & Kat Roche (USA)
TMO: Rachel Horton (Aus)
FPRO: Matteo Liperini (Ita)
Canada v Australia
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Sco)
ARs: Lauren Jenner (Ita) & Holly Wood (Eng)
TMO: Leo Colgan (Ire)
FPRO: Andrew McMenemy (Sco)
France v Ireland
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SA)
ARs: Maggie Cogger-Orr (NZ) & Natarsha Ganley (NZ)
TMO: Ian Tempest (Eng)
FPRO: Andrew McMenemy (Sco)
England v Scotland
Referee: Aurélie Groizeleau (Fra)
ARs: Clara Munarini (Ita) & Amber Stamp-Dunstan (Wal)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (SA)
FPRO: Matteo Liperini (Ita)
Semi finals
New Zealand v Canada
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SA)
AR: Aurélie Groizeleau (Fra) & Ella Goldsmith (Aus)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (SA)
FPRO: Matteo Liperini (Ita)
France v England
Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr (NZ)
ARs: Clara Munarini (Ita) & Kat Roche (USA)
TMO: Rachel Horton (Aus)
FPRO: Andrew McMenemy (Sco)
2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup Final match official appointments
Final: Canada v England
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Sco)
ARs: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SA) & Clara Munarini (Ita)
TMO: Leo Colgan (Ire)
FPRO: Matteo Liperini (Ita)
Bronze: New Zealand v France
Referee: Ella Goldsmith (Aus)
ARs: Kat Roche (USA) & Sara Cox (Eng)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (SA)
FPRO: Ian Tempest (Eng)
