In Tokyo, Ben O’Keeffe (pictured top right) from New Zealand will referee the opening test match of the autumn series as Japan host Australia. His Kiwi compatriot, James Doleman has his first domestic NPC final appointment, as Canterbury play Otago.
In South Africa, Stephan Geldenhuys will referee what’s being described as their FA Cup where the best north and south sides play each other for the Gold Cup. That’s between Villager FC and the Naka Bulls.
After the Rugby World Cup, the women’s PWR returns for the new season in England. There’s plenty of RWC players and officials on show, with Holly Wood (bottom right) refereeing a repeat of last year’s final as Gloucester-Hartpury and Saracens play each other once again. There’s also plenty of refereeing to be done around the globe with Hong Kong China and West Asia comps continuing, plus Rugby Europe internationals, RE Super Cup and URC, plus a host of European men’s and women’s leagues.
Enjoy your rugby, this weekend
Keith
Internationals
Japan v Australia (in Tokyo)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
ARs: Angus Mabey (NZ) & Morgan White (HKC)
TMO: Richard Kelly (NZ)
FPRO: Matt Rodden (HKC)
Hong Kong China v Japan XV
Referee: Reuben Keane (Aus)
ARs: Craig Chan (HKC) & Shane Barr (HKC)
Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Trophy – Oman
Referees: Aymen Jriji (Saudi), Thomas Ngan (HKC), Raveen Alexandar (SL), Ishanka Abeykoon (SL), Leow Wei Liang (Singapore), Priya Bansal (Ind), Lorence Ishuga (UAE), Adeline Chew (Sin), Joanna Bezuidenhout (Qtr)
Rugby Europe Conference 2025/2026
Finland v Latvia
Referee: Diego Grippa (Bel)
Serbia v Slovakia
Referee: Vadims Galajevs (Lat)
Rugby Europe Trophy 2025/2026
Sweden v Croatia
Referee: Adrian Pawlik (Pol)
ARs: Mieszko Lech (Pol) & Paul Warman (Ger)
Lithuania v Poland
Referee: Alberto Diaz (Spa)
ARs: Jen Lee (Spa) & Emmanuel Jacques (Den)
Rugby Europe Women’s Trophy 2025/2026
Finland v Sweden
Referee: Marit Bras (Ned)
Rugby Europe Super Cup
Bohemia Rugby Warriors v Brussels Devils
Referee: Diogo Inacio (Por)
ARs: Francisco Serra (Por) & Dominik Jastrzebski (Pol)
Lusitanos v Delta
Referee: Eugeniu Procpi (Mol)
ARs: Ethan Glass (Swi) & Inaki Munoz-Martin (Spa)
Castilla y Leon Iberians v Romanian Wolves
Referee: Saba Abulashvili (Geo)
ARs: Saba Makharadze (Geo) & Mariam Goguadze (Geo)
Bunnings NPC Final
Canterbury v Otago
Referee: James Doleman
ARs: Todd Petrie & Jackson Henshaw
TMO: Marcus Playle
England: Premiership Women’s Rugby – round 1
Harlequins Women v Loughborough Lightning
Referee: Andy Wigley
ARs: Mike Woods & Gareth Holsgrove
Ealing Trailfinders Women v Exeter Chiefs Women
Referee: Nikki O’Donnell
ARs: Rosanna Procter & Simon Adams
Sale Sharks Women v Leicester Tigers Women
Referee: Michael Lamb
ARs: Jenny Burrows & Simon Park
Gloucester-Hartpury Women v Saracens Women
Referee: Holly Wood
ARs: Mike Hudson & James Clarke
TMO: Craig Maxwell-Keys
England: Gallagher Prem Rugby- round 5
Northampton Saints v Saracens
Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe (47th match)
ARs: Harry Walbaum & Andrew Jackson
TMO: Christophe Ridley
Exeter Chiefs v Gloucester Rugby
Referee: Adam Leal (57th match)
ARs: Alex Thomas & Calum Howard
TMO: Luke Pearce
Harlequins v Newcastle Falcons
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys (134th match)
ARs: Dan Jones & Jamie Leahy
TMO: Dean Richards
Bath Rugby v Bristol Bears
Referee: Ian Tempest (124th match)
ARs: Sara Cox & John Meredith
TMO: David Rose
Leicester Tigers v Sale Sharks
Referee: Karl Dickson (101st match)
ARs: Greg Macdonald & Wayne Falla
TMO: Christophe Ridley
England: The Champ – round 4
Nottingham Rugby v Richmond
Referee: Jonathan Cook
ARs: Henry Pearson & Kieron Henry
Hartpury v Chinnor
Referee: Hamish Grant
ARs: Benjamin Wood & Kieron Henry
Coventry v Ealing Trailfinders
Referee: Joe James
ARs: Mike Hudson & Veryan Boscawen
Caldy v Cambridge
Referee: Richard Gordon
ARs: Matt Sharpe & James Pidding
London Scottish v Cornish Pirates
Referee: Charlie Gayther
ARs: Iain Kiy & Darryl Chapman
Ampthill v Bedford Blues
Referee: Jamie Parr
ARs: Neil Chivers & Jack Sutton
Doncaster Knights v Worcester Warriors
Referee: Hamish Smales
ARs: Henry Pearson & Gregg Dawson
South Africa: Pick n Pay Gold Cup Final
Villager FC v Naka Bulls
Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys
ARs: Juan de Bod & Zoe Naude
BKT United Rugby Championship – Round 5
Glasgow Warriors v Vodacom Bulls
Referee: Craig Evans (Wal, 71st league game)
ARs: Mike Adamson (Sco) & Ru Campbell (Sco)
TMO: Keith David (Wal)
Lions v Ulster Rugby
Referee: Ben Connor (Wal, 5th league game)
ARs: Christopher Allison (SA) & JD Jadezweni (SA)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wal)
Hollywoodbets Sharks v Scarlets
Referee: Sam Grove-White (Sco, 55th league game)
ARs: Griffin Colby (SA) & Aimee Barrett-Theron (SA)
TMO: Eoghan Cross (Ire)
Leinster Rugby v Zebre Parma
Referee: Ian Kenny (Sco, 7th league game)
ARs: Stuart Gaffikin (Ire) & Andrew Fogarty (Ire)
TMO: Colin Brett (Sco)
Benetton v DHL Stormers
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Sco, 23rd league game)
ARs: Gianluca Gnecchi (Ita) & Luca Bisetto (Ita)
TMO: Andrew McMenemy (Sco)
Dragons RFC v Ospreys
Referee: Ben Breakspear (Wal, 13th league game)
ARs: Adam Jones (Wal) & Amber Stamp-Dunstan (Wal)
TMO: Aled Griffiths (Wal)
Munster Rugby v Connacht Rugby
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Ita, 57th league game)
ARs: Peter Martin (Ire) & Chris Lough (Ire)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (Ita)
Cardiff Rugby v Edinburgh Rugby
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ire, 110th league game)
ARs: Craig Evans (Wal) & Carwyn Sion (Wal)
TMO: Colin Stanley (Ire)
France: Top 14 – round 8
LOU Rugby v Stade Rochelais
Referee: Kevin Bralley
ARs: Julien Caulier & Flavien Hourquet
TMO: Philippe Bonhoure
ASM Clermont v Castres Olympique
Referee: Jeremy Rozier
ARs: udovic Carrillo & Laurent Millotte
TMO: Patrick Dellac
Racing 92 v Section Paloise
Referee: Pierre Bru
ARs: Benoit Albert Bonnafous & Mathieu Noirot
TMO: Denis Grenouillet
Stade Français Paris v Montpellier Hérault Rugby
Referee: Benoit Rousselet
ARs: Remi Aiguebonne & Cyrille Boulay
TMO: Cedric Marchat
US Montauban v USA Perpignan
Referee: Tual Trainini
ARs: Stephane Boyer & Stephane Coulon
TMO: Patrick Pechambert
Union Bordeaux-Bègles v Aviron Bayonnais
Referee: Luc Ramos
ARs: David Beun & Jonathan Dufort
TMO: Julien Castaignede
Stade Toulousain v RC Toulon
Referee: Ludovic Cayre
ARs: Stephane Crapoix & Pierre Baptiste Nuchy
TMO: Jean Luc Rebollal
France: ProD2 – round 8
Valence Romans v SU Agen
Referee: Vivien Praderie
ARs: Benoit Lapassade & Gautier Reymond Laruina
TMO: Akim Hadj Bachir
CA Brive v Soyaux-Angoulême XV
Referee: Thomas Charabas
ARs: Vincent Chouquet & Joffrey Gauzins
TMO: Laurent Sclafer
Biarritz Olympique PB v Stade Montois Rugby
Referee: Anthony Lac
ARs: Anthony Diaz & Pierre Olivier Julien
TMO: Jean Lespes
FC Grenoble Rugby v US Carcassonnaise
Referee: Katsuki Furuse (Jpn)
ARs: Aurelie Groizeleau & Mickael Simon
TMO: Eric Gauzins
Oyonnax Rugby v Provence Rugby
Referee: Jonathan Gasnier
ARs: Remi Favier & Thierry Mallet
TMO: Bruno Bessot
US Dax v AS Béziers Hérault
Referee: Damien Dauvissat
ARs: Sylvain Brayelle & Stephane Coulon
TMO: Mourad Zitouni
USON Nevers v Stade Aurillacois
Referee: Thibault Santamaria
ARs: Ghyslain Elias & Antoine LEBAS
TMO: Herve Lasausa Lespy Labaylette
Colomiers Rugby v RC Vannes
Referee: Evan Urruzmendi
ARs: Thomas DUFAU DUSSARRAT & Yannick Vals
TMO: Christophe Berdos
Spain: Division De Honor (Men’s)
Complutense Cisneros v Silicius Alcobendas Rugby
Referee: Jose Luis Murillo Garcia-Gil
DH VRAC Quesos Entrepinares v Cajasol Real Ciencias Sevilla
Referee: Alvaro Garcia De Las Mestas Garcia
Huesitos La Vila Rugby Club v Recoletas Burgos-Caja Rural
Referee: Carlos Guerrero Padin
Ampo Ordizia v Barça Rugby
Referee: Alfonso Mirat Servan
CR Liceo Frances v Inexo El Salvador
Referee: Jon Ibisate Alday
Spain: Liga Iberdrola (Women’s)
Rialta CRAT Coruña v Getxo Rugby
Referee: Lorena Martinez Fernandez
Complutense Cisneros v Olimpico De Pozuelo CR
Referee: Daniel Sarrion Garcia
Club De Rugby Sant Cugat v Colina Clinic El Salvador
Referee: Joaquin Santoro Ferreiro
Silicius Rugby Majadahonda v Simon Verde Sport Cocos Sevilla
Referee: Lluis Llauger Suau
Italy: Serie A Elite Machile
Rugby Rovigo Delta v Rugby Vicenza 2025
Referee: Clara Munarini
ARs: Matteo Angelo Locatelli & Federico Boraso
TMO: Alex Frasson
G.S. Fiamme Oro Rugby Roma v Rugby Petrarca
Referee: Riccardo Angelucci
ARs: Manuel Bottino, & Luca Giurina
TMO: Vincenzo Schipani
Biella Rugby Club v Valorugby Emilia
Referee: Francesco Meschini
ARs: Ludovico Grosso & Gabriel Ionut Chirnoaga
TMO: Luca Trentin,Luca
Rugby Viadana 1970 v Rugby Lyons
Referee: Lorenzo Negro
ARs: Dario Merli & Mirco Sergi
TMO: Filippo Bertelli
Rugby Colorno 1975 v Mogliano Veneto Rugby
Referee: Alberto Favaro
ARs: Riccardo Bonato & Francesco Meschini
TMO: Giuseppe Vivarini
Ireland: Energia All Ireland League
Cork Constitution v Ballynahinch
Referee: Robbie Jenkinson
Old Belvedere v Clontarf
Referee: Sam Holt
Terenure College RFC v Nenagh Ormond
Referee: Keane Davison
UCD v St Marys College RFC
Referee: Andrew Cole
Young Munster v Lansdowne
Referee: George Clancy
Ireland: Energia Women’s AIL League
Ennis RFC v UL Bohemian
Referee: David Hennessy
Cooke v Galwegians
Referee: TBC
Blackrock College RFC v Ballincollig
Referee: Kenneth McDonald
Old Belvedere v Wicklow
Referee: David Williams
Railway Union v Tullow
Referee: Ezequiel Roldan Olivera
Scotland: Arnold Clark Women’s Premiership
Stirling County WRFC v Watsonians WRFC
Referee: Beatriz Casares Fernandez
ARs: Niamh Hay & Victoria Lindsay-McGee
Cartha Queens Park WRFC v Biggar WRFC
Referee: Kyle McAlinden
ARs: Walter Gaffney & Allana McLean
Heriots Rugby Women v Corstorphine Cougars WRFC
Referee: Alex Obreja
ARs: John Cramb & Georgina Adams
Hillhead Jordanhill WRFC v Garioch WRFC
Referee: Graeme Dryburgh-Cook
ARs: Duncan Pine & Yvonne Tunnicliff
Scotland: Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership
Selkirk v Ayr
Referee: Chelsea Gillespie
ARs: Tom French & Bob Nevins
GHA v Watsonians
Referee: Ciaran Stark
ARs: Craig Clark & TBC
Glasgow Hawks v Heriot’s Rugby Men
Referee: David Young
ARs: Angus Healy & Bryan Johnston
Hawick v Melrose Rugby
Referee: Michael Todd
ARs: Shane Mansfield & David Changleng
Kelso v Currie Chieftains
Referee: Samuel O’Neil
ARs: Gordon Galashan & Brian McGuff
Scotland: Men’s friendly
Edinburgh A v Glasgow Warriors A
Referee: Ru Campbell
ARs: Finlay Brown & Calum Wehmeyer
West Asia Super Rugby
Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Jebel Ali Dragons
Referee: James Fairbourne
ARs: Matt Riley & Simon Dodd
Dubai Hurricanes v Dubai Sharks
Referee: Niell Horn
ARs: JP Clements & James Cornell
Hong Kong China: Nan Fung Group AIRSIDE Men’s Premiership
Societe Generale Valley v HKU Sandy Bay
Referee: Nico Fox (6th Prem Appointment)
ARs: Reuben Keane & Sam Chan
HKFC Natixis Club v Kowloon Rugby Club
Referee: Craig Chan (40th Prem Appointment)
ARs: Patrick Kwok & Steven Yuen
Kroll USRC Tigers v MND Hong Kong Scottish
Referee: Francesco Cammisa (23rd Prem Appointment)
ARs: Sunny Lee & Billy Chan
Hong Kong China: Nan Fung Group AIRSIDE Women’s Premiership
Societe Generale Valley v Causeway Sandy Bay
Referee: Sam Chan (31 WPrem Appointment)
ARs: Katsu Shichiji & Evans Lam
HKFC Natixis Ice v Kowloon Rugby Women
Referee: Steven Yuen (39 WPrem Appointment)
ARs: Patrick Kwok & Carman Man
Kroll USRC Tigers Women v Gai Wu Falcons
Referee: Shane Barr (3rd WPrem Appointment)
ARs: Sunny Lee & Allen Judge
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