As one series ends, another begins and so the match officials for the weekend are scattered around the rugby’ing world. The WXV Global Series opens in Manchester where the Roses host the Wallaroos. Aurélie Groizeleau referees that one – the first of three in this window. Rugby’s Greatest [men’s] Rivalry concludes in Baltimore. Karl Dickson (pictured top left) will referee that one which will either see the Springboks take the whole trophy, or whether the All Blacks can snatch a series draw and they both take half a trophy home (yes, really – it’s been designed that way!)
The WXV Challenger series is taking place in Hong Kong China from this weekend. Amber Stamp-Dunstan from Wales (top right), Precious Pazani (Zim) and Hibiki Ikeda (Jpn) are the referees over there with others to join the grop next week from Canada. Up the coast, the Pacific Nations Cup kicks off this weekend with two weekends of rugby in Japan. Jordan Way (Aus) and Katsuki Furuse (bottom left) referee this weekend. The results this weekend will determine who does the final!
In South Africa, Morné Ferreira will referee the Currie Cup Final as the Griquas play the Pumas in Kimberley. Congrats Morne!
Around the houses, we have domestic rugby across Scotland, France, Germany, the Netherlands and in Australia (Super Rugby Aus returns) and New Zealand. There, Kaitlin Bates (bottom right) referees in the FPC for first time this season. And there’s a new Ultimate 7s series kicking off in Cardiff this weekend with further rounds in Paris and back in Brentford. While it’s not a World Rugby event, it is being serviced by WR’s Svns Series refs so familiar names there. Could be worth looking out for!
Enjoy your weekend
Keith
WXV Global Series
England v Australia (in Manchester)
Referee: Aurélie Groizeleau (Fra)
ARs: Robbie Jenkinson (Ire) & Alexandra Ferre (Fra)
TMO: Aled Griffiths (Wal)
FPRO: Finlay Brown (Sco)
France v New Zealand (in Lyon)
Referee: Clara Munarini (Ita)
ARs: Zoe Naude (SA) & Beatrice Smussi (Ita)
TMO: Stefano Penne (Ita)
FPRO: Paul Haycock (Ire)
Scotland v Canada (in Edinburgh)
Referee: Holly Wood (Eng)
ARs: Jamie Parr (Eng) & Emily Hope (Eng)
TMO: Dan Jones (Eng)
FPRO: Jenny Davies (Wal)
WXV Challenger Series appointments – all in Hong Kong
13 September 2026
Spain v Fiji
Referee: Amber Stamp-Dunstan (Wal)
ARs: Sunny Lee (HKC) & Thomas Ngan (HKC)
TMO: Paulo Duarte (Por)
Hong Kong China v Brazil
Referee: Hibiki Ikeda (Jpn)
ARs: Emma Gallagher (Can) & Giana Viljoen (SA)
TMO: Julien Castaignede (Fra)
Netherlands v Samoa
Referee: Precious Pazani (Zim)
ARs: Sunny Lee (HKC) & Jan Tang (HKC)
TMO: Adam Jones (Wal)
Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry – Fourth Test
South Africa v New Zealand (in Baltimore)
Referee: Karl Dickson (Eng)
ARs: Matthew Carley (Eng) & Christophe Ridley (Eng)
TMO: Andrew Jackson (Eng)
FPRO: Matteo Liperini (Ita)
Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2026
Semi-final: Fiji v Canada
Referee: Katsuki Furuse (Japan)
ARs: Koki Yamauchi (Japan) & Ibuki Tetsuka (Japan)
TMO: Graham Cooper (Aus)
Semi-final: Japan v USA
Referee: Jordan Way (Aus)
ARs: Damon Murphy (Aus) & Morgan White (HKC)
TMO: Graham Cooper (Aus)
Ultimate Sevens – Cardiff
Referees: George Selwood (Eng), Ben Connor (Wal), Peter Martin (Ire), Maria Latos (Ger) & Chloe Pelle (Fra)
France: Top 14 – Round 2
USA Perpignan v Castres Olympique
Referee: Vincent Blasco Baque
ARs: Christophe Bultet & Ludovic Cayre
TMO: Laurent Sclafer
RC Vannes v Montpellier Hérault Rugby
Referee: Jonathan Gasnier
ARs: Cyrille Boulay & Anthony Lac
TMO: Mourad Zitouni
ASM Clermont v Stade Français Paris
Referee: Thibault Santamaria
ARs: David Beun & Luc Ramos
TMO: Patrick Pechambert
Section Paloise v Aviron Bayonnais
Referee: Adrien Marbot
ARs: Benoit Albert Bonnafous & Pierre Bru
TMO: Denis Grenouillet
Racing 92 v LOU Rugby
Referee: Vivien Praderie
ARs: Thomas Chereque & Benoit Rousselet
TMO: Christophe Berdos
RC Toulon v Stade Rochelais
Referee: Jeremy Rozier
ARs: Flavien Hourquet & Evan Urruzmendi
TMO: Jean Lespes
Stade Toulousain v Union Bordeaux-Bègles
Referee: Kevin Bralley
ARs: Cedric Hueso & Tual Trainini
TMO: Herve Lasausa Lespy Labaylette
France: Pro D2 – Round 3
Biarritz Olympique PB v Colomiers Rugby
Referee: Pierre Baptiste Nuchy
ARs: Aurelien Laloo & Lilian Lamoliate
TMO: Jean Luc Rebollal
Soyaux-Angoulême XV v US Montauban
Referee: Julien Caulier
ARs: Benjamin Assie & Danny Groizeleau
TMO: Patrick Dellac
Provence Rugby v RC Narbonnais
Referee: Remi Aiguebonne
ARs: Charles Morel & Yannick Vals
TMO: Richard Duhau
AS Béziers Hérault v USON Nevers
Referee: Evan Urruzmendi
ARs: Julien Camus & Abdjallil El Khaoulani
TMO: Akim Hadj Bachir
CA Brive v Nissa Rugby
Referee: Hugo Dutreuilh
ARs: Benjamin Beuriot & Ludovic Sacarot
TMO: Frederic Chazal
US Dax v Valence Romans
Referee: Ludovic Carrillo
ARs: Sylvain Jaymes & Adrien Maset
TMO: Benoit Caballero
FC Grenoble Rugby v SU Agen
Referee: Thomas Charabas
ARs: Vincent Chouquet & Stephane Coulon
TMO: Philippe Bonhoure
England: Premiership Rugby Cup – round 2
Pool A: Exeter Chiefs v Bristol Bears
Referee: Henry Pearson
ARs: Luke Pearce & Jonathan Healy
Pool A: Gloucester Rugby v Sale Sharks
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
ARs: Sara Cox & Veryan Boscawen
Pool B: Leicester Tigers v Newcastle Redbull
Referee: Harry Walbaum
ARs: Ian Tempest & Greg Macdonald
Pool B Harlequins v Northampton Saints
Referee: Joe James
ARs: Anthony Woodthorpe & Simon Harding
TMO: Stuart Terheege
England: Pre-season friendlies
Bedford Blues v Bath Rugby
Referee: Richard Gordon
ARs: Ben Simpson & James Clarke
Trailfinders Women v Richmond Women
Referee: Matt Sharpe
ARs: Emmerson Wood & Katie Gent
Rotherham Titans v Durham University
Referee: Charlie Gayther
ARs: Kieron Henry & John Meredith
Sale Sharks v Caldy (Friday)
Referee: Ian Tempest
Gloucester Rugby v Hartpury
Referee: Alex Thomas
ARs: Mike Hudson & Henry Lowis
Ampthill v Saracens
Referee: Jonathan Cook
ARs: Andy Wigley & Michael Maple
Ealing Trailfinders v Edinburgh
Referee: Hamish Grant
ARs: Matt Sharpe & Emmerson Wood
Chinnor v Caldy (Saturday)
Referee: Benjamin Wood
ARs: Jack Sutton & Simon Adams
Germany: Men’s Bundesliga – round 2
Hannover 78 v RGH
Referee: Paul Warman
ARs: Jens Reinisch & Jonas Klingspohn
SC Neuenheim v Germania List
Referee: Ruaridh Smith
ARs: Joshua Gando & Jonas Brauner
SC Frankfurt 1880 v München RFC
Referee: Nils Radtke
ARs: Peter Keller & Martin Schuettler
TSV Handschuhsheim v Heidelberger RK 1872
Referee: Cara Senneka
ARs: Victor Garcia-Arroba & Esra Frank
RC Luxembourg v Berliner RC
Referee: Luc Muhirwa
Men’s Bundesliga 2
Hamburger RC v VfR 06 Döhren
Referee: Philipp Zürn
RK 03 Berlin v Victoria Linden
Referee: Robert Läufer
Stuttgarter RC v RK Heusenstamm
Referee: Costinel Costin Croitoru
RSV Köln v RC Unterföhring
Referee: Maximilian Burbach
RC Rottweil v StuSta
Referee: Malina Kleine
Germany: Women’s Bundesliga – round 1
SG Lionesses v Heidelberger RK 1872
Referee: Esra Frank
SG Dortmund/Schaumburg v St. Pauli
Referee Ramon Wilhelmstrop
Scotland: Arnold Clark Premierships
Women’s – Round 2
Stirling County WRFC v Watsonians WRFC
Referee: Simeon Dewi
ARs: James Ryder & Lee Murru
Hillhead Jordanhill WRFC v Garioch WRFC
Referee: Alexandra Haskett
ARs: Ronan Machugh & Allan Parry
Corstorphine Cougars WRFC v Biggar WRFC
Referee: Allana McLean
ARs: Andrew Laing & Colin George
Cartha Queens Park WRFC v Heriots Rugby Women
Referee: George Pounder
ARs: Murdo Wilson & George Downie
Men’s – round 3
Heriot’s Rugby Men v Kelso
Referee: Ruairidh Campbell
ARs: Mary Pringle & Sean Mallon
Glasgow Hawks v Watsonians
Referee: Michael Todd
ARs: David Young & Alistair Watt
GHA v Edinburgh Academical
Referee: David Sutherland
ARs: Simon Aldridge & Kevin McGhee
Currie Chieftains v Melrose Rugby
Referee: Jonny Mackenzie
ARs: Fergus Hollins & David Changleng
Ayr v Hawick
Referee: Rob McDowell
ARs: Brian McGuff & Gordon Galashan
New Zealand: Hilux NPC – round 7
Manawatu v Taranaki
Referee: Angus Mabey
ARs: Sam Couper & Matt Thomas
TMO: Carl Baker
Otago v Tasman
Referee: Paul Williams
ARs: Caleb Neilson & Jackson Brierly
TMO: Rodger Hewitt
Auckland v Counties Manukau
Referee: Mike Winter
ARs: Angus Mabey & Todd Petrie
TMO: Rob Harman
Northland v Waikato (Ranfurly shield match)
Referee: Fraser Hannon
ARs: Travis Larsen & Leo Palmer
TMO: Llew Smart
Canterbury v Wellington
Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr
ARs: William Todd & Steven Laird
TMO: Gareth Reed
Hawke’s Bay v North Harbour
Referee: Marcus Playle
ARs: Stu Catley & Sheldon Eden-Whaitiri
TMO: Mark Johnson
Southland v Bay of Plenty
Referee: James Doleman
ARs: Sam Nicholson & Taylor Swan
TMO: Andrew Rowland
NZ: Hilux Heartland Championship – round 5
East Coast v Horowhenua Kapiti
Referee: Nick Hogan
ARs: Joe Coleman & Sean Murtagh
North Otago v Whanganui
Referee: Caleb Neilson
ARs: TBC
Thames Valley v Poverty Bay
Referee: Sean Curragh
ARs: TBC
Wairarapa Bush v King Country
Referee: Stu Catley
ARs: Alistair Payne & Chris Jefferies
Buller v West Coast
Referee: William Day
ARs: TBV
Mid Canterbury v South Canterbury
Referee: Logan Whitty
ARs: S. Bennett & R. Greenslade
NZ: Hilux Farah Palmer Cup
Premiership – round 3
Auckland v Counties Manukau
Referee: Erin Doherty
ARs: Ben McLauchlan & Tertius De Villiers
Manawatu v Canterbury
Referee: Chloe Sampson
ARs: Sam Couper & Warrick Price
Waikato v Bay of Plenty
Referee: Tiana Anderson
ARs: Ben Brownlie & Jonathan Crosbie
Championship – round 3
Otago v Tasman
Referee: Hayley Hutana
ARs: Jackson Brierly & Amelia Oçonnell
Northland v North Harbour
Referee: Kaitilin Bates
Hawkes Bay v Wellington
Referee: Holly McKenzie
ARs: Max Lancaster & Richard Baines
Australia: Super Rugby Australia – round 1
Reds v Force
Referee: Reuben Keane
ARs: Louis Trisley & Zanden Jeh
Brumbies v Waratahs
Referee: George Myers
ARs: Jeremy Markey & Jack Larkin
South Africa: Carling Currie Cup final
Suzuki Griquas v Airlink Pumas
Referee: Morné Ferreira
ARs: Stephan Geldenhuys & Jonathan Lee Lottering
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen
Netherlands: Men’s Ereklasse – round 2
RC The Dukes v Ascrum
Referee: Thomas Binns
Haagsche RC v RC Eemland
Referee: Wissem Letaif
RC ‘t Gooi v RFC Haarlem
Referee: Lars Looten
Castricum RC v RC DIOK
Referee: Katherine Ritchie
AAC v RFC Oisterwijk Oysters
Referee: Bram Oudman
Rotterdam RC v RC Hoek van Holland
Referee: Gert Visser
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