Ireland’s Joy Neville is ready to turn out to be the primary feminine to officiate at a males’s Rugby World Cup after being chosen as a tv match official (TMO) for this autumn’s event in France.
Neville, who received 70 caps for Ireland as a participant, is called as a part of a 26-strong officiating group.
The 39-year-old took cost of the 2017 Women’s World Cup last between England and New Zealand and have become the primary feminine TMO for a top-level males’s rugby union Test in November 2020.
Four English referees (Wayne Barnes, Luke Pearce, Karl Dickson and Matt Carley) are amongst a gaggle of on-field officers that additionally consists of Nika Amashukeli, who would be the first Georgian to referee at a World Cup.
“The journey to Rugby World Cup 2023 is not an easy one for match officials,” mentioned World Rugby’s officiating chief, Joel Jutge. “There are fewer roles with as much public scrutiny, but I am proud of how the team has responded to the ups and downs, always being open and acting with integrity.
“Selection is one milestone, and we have a lot of work to do before the start of the tournament with warm-up matches and The Rugby Championship.
“But this team has a great work ethic, an unwavering spirit and a great bond and we will all benefit from increased time together as we prepare for what will be a very special Rugby World Cup 2023 in France.”
The panel of officers consists of representatives from 9 nations, with Barnes set to referee at a fifth consecutive males’s World Cup.
Englishman Wayne Barnes will referee at a fifth consecutive males’s Rugby World Cup
(PA Archive)
Experienced South African Jaco Peyper, who will oversee subsequent weekend’s Champions Cup last between Leinster and La Rochelle, will take cost at a 3rd event.
This 12 months’s last will see a brand new face on the helm, with 2015 referee Nigel Owens having retired for the reason that final World Cup and Jerome Garces, referee as England misplaced to South Africa 4 years in the past, now a part of France’s teaching employees.
The 26 officers will share 48 event matches in France, with the appointments for the pool phases to be confirmed after the completion of this summer season’s warm-up fixtures.
The 2023 World Cup begins in Paris on 8 September and ends on 28 October.
2023 Rugby World Cup match officers:
Referees: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia), Wayne Barnes (England), Nic Berry (Australia), Andrew Brace (Ireland), Matthew Carley (England), Karl Dickson (England), Angus Gardner (Australia), Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), Luke Pearce (England), Jaco Peyper (South Africa), Mathieu Raynal (France), Paul Williams (New Zealand).
Assistant Referees: Chris Busby (Ireland), Pierre Brousset (France), James Doleman (New Zealand), Craig Evans (Wales), Andrea Piardi (Italy), Christophe Ridley (England), Jordan Way (Australia).
Television Match Officials: Brett Cronan (Australia), Tom Foley (England), Marius Jonker (South Africa), Brian MacNeice (Ireland), Joy Neville (Ireland), Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand), Ben Whitehouse (Wales).
