16-19 April: Rugby referee, AR, TMO appointments

There’s two Women’s Six Nations debuts this weekend with South Africa’s Zoe Naude (pictured top left) taking charge of the Scotland v England tie and Robbie Jenkinson (top right) from Ireland who will be in Cardiff for the Wales-France match.

Still on debuts, Shanda Assmus (bottom left) makes her MLR debut, becoming the third female to referee in that north American league since it started. She will referee the Anthem Carolina v DC match. In Oceania, Erin Doherty becomes New Zealand’s 89th test referee as she refs the opener of the Women’s Championship where the Fijiana host Tonga.

Go well Zoe, Robbie, Shanda and Erin as well as your #RefSquad teams! Also, another tip of the hat to Hollie Davidson who this weekend finds herself as the first female to referee a Top14 match, exchanging with France. She’ll oversee Clermont v Lyon.

It’s the 50th Hong Kong 7s event this weekend as the Svns Series heads to town. Fiji’s Tex Rokovereni (bottom right) will be once again making an appeareance.

There’s plenty of other rugby around the globe as the cross-border competitions resume (after a European cup few weeks up north) Super Rugby Pacific is in round 10, Americas round 8, URC is up to round 15 and then the domestic leagues/comps carry on towards their season end stages.

Enjoy your weekend
Keith

Guinness Women’s Six Nations – round 2

Scotland v England (Murrayfield, Edinburgh)
Referee: Zoe Naude (SA)
ARs: Clara Munarini (Ita) & Berenice Loubet (Fra)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (SA)
FPRO: Stefano Penne (Ita)

Wales v France (Cardiff Arms Park)
Referee: Robbie Jenkinson (Ire)
ARs: Precious Pazani (Zim) & Emily Hope (Eng)
TMO: Estelle Whaiapu (NZ)
FPRO: Dan Jones (Eng)

Ireland v Italy (Dexcom Stadium, Galway)
Referee: Ella Goldsmith (Aus)
ARs: Ben Connor (Wal) & Rebecca Piddlesten (Eng)
TMO: Graham Cooper (Aus)
FPRO: Finlay Brown (Sco)

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Pacific 4 (Women’s) – Round 2

Canada v New Zealand (in Kansas City, USA)
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SA)
ARs: Amelia Luciano (USA) & Lindsey Oliver (USA)
TMO: Derek Summers (USA)
FPRO: Cam Russell (Can)

USA v Australia (in Kansas City, USA)
Referee: Julianne Zussman (Can)
ARs: Emma Gallagher (Can) & Kristine Lovatt (Can)
TMO: Cam Russell (Can)
FPRO: Derek Summers (USA)

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Under 21 Women’s Six Nations Series

Scotland v England (in Edinburgh)
Referee: Alexandra Ferre (Fra)
ARs: Beatriz Casares Fernandez (Sco) & Rebecca Rees (Sco)
TMO: Aled Griffiths (Wal)

Ireland v Italy (in Galway)
Referee: Amber Stamp‑Dunstan (Wal)
ARs: Siobhan Daly (Ire) & Emma Murphy (Ire)
TMO: Jenny Davies (Wal)

Wales v France (in Cardiff Arms Park)
Referee: Beatrice Smussi (Ita)
ARs: Jack Davies (Wal) & Paddy Bateman (Wal)
TMO: Paul Haycock (Ire)

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World Rugby Svns Series – Hong Kong

Men’s competition: Tevita Rokovereni (Fij), Morgan White (HKC), Nick Hogan (NZ), George Selwood (Eng), Francisco Gonzalez (Uru), AJ Jacobs (SA)

Women’s competition: Maria Latos (Ger), Jessica Ling (Aus), Chloe Sampson (NZ), Hibiki Ikeda (Jpn), Kat Roche (USA), Sunny Lee (HKC)

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Oceania Women’s Championship

17 Apr
Fiji v Tonga (in Lautoka, Fiji)
Referee: Erin Doherty (NZ)
ARs: Meresiana Savenaca (Fij) & Poto Brown (Sam)

21 Apr
Samoa v Tonga (in Lautoka, Fiji)
Referee: Meresiana Savenaca (Fij)
ARs: Poto Brown (Sam) & Marita Saafi (Ton)

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Rugby Europe internationals

Women’s Championship 2026

Belgium v Portugal
Referee: Marion Gauthier (Mon)
ARs: Elena Mora (Spa) & Katherine Ritchie (Ned)

Netherlands v Spain
Referee: Adèle Robert (Bel)
ARs: Chiara Carnini (Ita) & Hana Erika Radochova (Cze)

Rugby Europe Men’s Trophy 25/26

Lithuania v Croatia
Referee: Benedikt Niklas (Ger)
ARs: Paul Warman (Ger) & Monray Gilbert (Swi)

Rugby Europe Men’s Conference 25/26

Kosovo v Bosnia & Herzegovina
Referee: Joshua Jahn (Ger)

Norway v Finland
Referee: Borys Bovsunovskyi (Ukr)

Serbia v Slovenia
Referee: Filippos Manolopoulos (Aut)

Ukraine v Bulgaria
Referee: Victor Lungu (Mol)

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Super Rugby Pacific – round 10

Blues v Highlanders
Referee: Jordan Way
ARs: Damon Murphy & Jeremy Markey
TMO: James Leckie

Waratahs v Moana Pasifika
Referee: Angus Mabey
ARs: Mike Winter & Ben Woolerton
TMO: Aaron Paterson

Brumbies v Fijian Drua
Referee: James Doleman
ARs: Marcus Playle & Fraser Hannon
TMO: Glenn Newman

Chiefs v Hurricanes
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
ARs: Todd Petrie & Warwick Lahmert
TMO: Richard Kelly

Force v Crusaders
Referee: Reuben Keane
ARs: Nic Berry & Louis Trisley
TMO: Brett Cronan

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Super Rugby Americas – Round 8

Pampas v Yacare XV
Referee: Tomás Ninci
ARs: Pablo Deluca & Luca Solda

Selknam v Tarucas
Referee: Damián Schneider
ARs: Federico Longobardi & Sebastián Toledo

Cobras Brasil Rugby v Dogos XV
Referee: Nehuen Jauri Rivero
ARs: Sergio Alvarenga & Nerea Livoni

Peñarol Rugby v Capibaras XV
Referee: Gonzalo De Achaval
ARs: Juan Sebastián Maio & Armen Abi‑Saab

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United Rugby Championship – round 15

Edinburgh v Zebre Parma
Referee: Christopher Allison (9th league game)
ARs: Ru Campbell & David Young
TMO: Morne Ferreira

Ulster v Leinster
Referee: Andrew Brace (115th league game)
ARs: Andrew Cole & Tomás O’Sullivan
TMO: Olly Hodges

Dragons RFC v Vodacom Bulls
Referee: Sam Grove‑White (51st league game)
ARs: Ben Breakspear & Lucas Yendle
TMO: Colin Brett

DHL Stormers v Connacht
Referee: Federico Vedovelli (21st league game)
ARs: Hanru van Rooyen & Sean Muller
TMO: Fillipo Russo

Fidelity SecureDrive Lions v Glasgow Warriors
Referee: Peter Martin (14th league game)
ARs: Griffin Colby & Dylen November
TMO: Eoghan Cross

Scarlets v Cardiff
Referee: Morne Ferreira (22nd league game)
ARs: Adam Jones & Carwyn Sion
TMO: Christopher Allison

Benetton v Munster
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (114th league game)
ARs: Andrea Piardi & Riccardo Bonato
TMO: Keith David

Ospreys v Hollywoodbets Sharks
Referee: Mike Adamson (97th league game)
ARs: Craig Evans & Marcus Caudle
TMO: Andrew McMenemy

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USA: MLR – round 4

Anthem Rugby Carolina v Old Glory DC
Referee: Shanda Assmus
ARs: Luke Rogan & Alex Hedquist

Chicago Hounds v New England Free Jacks
Referee: Peter Pender
ARs: Robin Kaluzniak & Mike Lawrenson

California Legion v Seattle Seawolves
Referee: Derek Summers
ARs: Marquise Goodwin & Will Nelson

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France: Top 14 – Round 21

Stade Rochelais v Union Bordeaux‑Bègles
Referee: Kevin Bralley
ARs: Benoit Lapassade & Benoit Rousselet
TMO: Denis Grenouillet

ASM Clermont v LOU Rugby
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Sco)
ARs: Thomas Charabas & Thomas Chereque
TMO: Tual Trainini

Aviron Bayonnais v Section Paloise
Referee: Pierre Brousset
ARs: Flavien Hourquet & Mathieu Noirot
TMO: Jean Lespes

Montpellier Hérault Rugby v USA Perpignan
Referee: Julien Caulier
ARs: David Beun & Adrien Marbot
TMO: Christophe Berdos

US Montauban v RC Toulon
Referee: Vincent Blasco Baqué
ARs: Ludovic Carrillo & Vincent Chouquet
TMO: Cedric Marchat

Castres Olympique v Stade Toulousain
Referee: Jeremy Rozier
ARs: Pierre Bru & Christophe Bultet
TMO: Hervé Lasausa Lespy Labaylette

Racing 92 v Stade Français Paris
Referee: Ludovic Cayre
ARs: Laurent Millotte & Evan Urruzmendi
TMO: Eric Gauzins

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France: Pro D2 – Round 27

SU Agen v Biarritz Olympique PB
Referee: Pierre Bru
ARs: Stephane Boyer & Hugo Dutreuilh
TMO: Philippe Bonhoure

Stade Montois Rugby v US Dax
Referee: Jonathan Gasnier
ARs: Damien Dauvissat & Sylvain Jaymes
TMO: Patrick Dellac

AS Béziers Hérault v Provence Rugby
Referee: Jonathan Dufort
ARs: Stephane Coulon & Abdjallil El Khaoulani
TMO: Jean‑Luc Rebollal

CA Brive v Stade Aurillacois
Referee: Remi Aiguebonne
ARs: Ghyslain Elias & Ludovic Sacarot
TMO: Cedric Marchat

Colomiers Rugby v US Carcassonnaise
Referee: Ludovic Carrillo
ARs: Florian Capelle & Yannick Vals
TMO: Laurent Sclafer

Soyaux‑Angoulême XV v RC Vannes
Referee: Thibault Santamaria
ARs: Thomas Dufau Dussarrat & Danny Groizeleau
TMO: Akim Hadj Bachir

USON Nevers v Valence Romans
Referee: Vivien Praderie
ARs: Sylvain Brayelle & Alexis Darche
TMO: Patrick Pechambert

FC Grenoble Rugby v Oyonnax Rugby
Referee: Pierre‑Baptiste Nuchy
ARs: Anthony Lac & Aurélien Laloo
TMO: Eric Briquet Campin

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Italy: Serie A Elite Maschile – Round 17

Biella Rugby Club v Rovigo Delta
Referee: Luca Bisetto
ARs: Lorenzo Negro & Antonio Luzza
TMO: Luca Trentin

Fiamme Oro Rugby Roma v Rugby Viadana 1970
Referee: Alberto Favaro
ARs: Daniele Pompa & Vincenzo Iavarone
TMO: Vincenzo Schipani

Rugby Petrarca v Valorugby Emilia
Referee: Manuel Bottino
ARs: Cosimo Danilo Parisi & Federico Boraso
TMO: Stefano Roscini

Mogliano Veneto Rugby v Rugby Vicenza 2025
Referee: Cosimo Danilo Parisi
ARs: Dario Merli & Alex Frasson
TMO: Giuseppe Vivarini

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Spain: División de Honor (Men) – round 5

Recoletas Burgos 2031 v VRAC Quesos Entrepinares
Referee: Eki Fanlo Antzin

Silicius Alcobendas Rugby v Complutense Cisneros
Referee: Álvaro García de las Mestas García

Société Générale Liceo Francés v Huesitos La Vila Rugby Club
Referee: Alberto Díaz Camarero

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England: Prem rugby – round 13

Bristol Bears v Gloucester Rugby
Referee: Ian Tempest (129th game)
ARs: Luke Pearce & Veryan Boscawen
TMO: Dan Jones

Bath Rugby v Harlequins
Referee: Sara Cox (14th game)
ARs: Matthew Carley & John Meredith
TMO: David Rose

Exeter Chiefs v Northampton Saints
Referee: Adam Leal (61st game)
ARs: Anthony Woodthorpe & Jonathan Healy
TMO: Stuart Terheege

Leicester Tigers v Newcastle Falcons
Referee: Joe James (7th game)
ARs: Craig Maxwell‑Keys & Simon Harding
TMO: Andrew Jackson

Sale Sharks v Saracens
Referee: Christophe Ridley (93rd game)
ARs: Hamish Smales & Jamie Leahy
TMO: Peter Allan

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England: Champ rugby – round 24

Coventry v Cambridge
Referee: Charlie Gayther
ARs: Richard Gordon & Iain Kiy

Doncaster Knights v London Scottish
Referee: Matt Sharpe
ARs: Calum Howard & Wayne Falla

Ampthill v Caldy
Referee: Harry Walbaum
ARs: Mike Lamb & Gareth Holsgrove

Hartpury v Nottingham Rugby
Referee: Henry Pearson
ARs: Mike Hudson & Simon Adams

Ealing Trailfinders v Cornish Pirates
Referee: Ben Wood
ARs: Neil Chivers & James Pidding

Richmond v Bedford Blues
Referee: Andy Wigley
ARs: Jamie Parr & TBC

Chinnor v Worcester Warriors
Referee: Alex Thomas
ARs: Jonathan Cook & Gregg Dawson

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Japan: League One – Division 1 – round 15

MIE Honda Heat v Black Rams
Referee: Toshimasa Sekiya
ARs: Tetsuya Hirakawa & Meitetsu Shimizu
TMO: Minoru Fuji

Mitsubishi Dynaboars v Toshiba BraveLupus
Referee: Ibuki Tetsuka
ARs: Toshimasa Sekiya & Kohei Osawa
TMO: Mayumi Takahashi

Shizuoka Blue Revs v Wild Knights
Referee: Motonori Mizutani
ARs: Sota Ouchi & Tetsuya Hirakawa
TMO: Daiki Kako

Canon Eagles v Urayasu D‑Rocks
Referee: Katsuki Furuse
ARs: Teruki Inanishi & Shinji Iida
TMO: Tomohiro Koyama

Toyota Verblitz v Kobe Steelers
Referee: Masaki Kondo
ARs: Shuhei Hamada & Atsushi Yamamoto
TMO: Yosuke Kimura

Tokyo Sungoliath v Kubota Spears
Referee: Takehito Namekawa
ARs: Yusaku Murata & Taiga Hirose
TMO: Tasuku Kawahara

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South Africa: SA Cup (Men’s) – round 6

Airlink Pumas v Leopards
Referee: Dylen November

Dotsure SWD Eagles v Toyota Cheetahs
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen

Sanlam Boland Kavaliers v Border Bulldogs
Referee: Hernus Coetzee

Griffons v Valke
Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys

Eastern Province v Suzuki Griquas
Referee: Lulutho Matomela