mens
nations-championship
World Rugby has confirmed the officials for the first three rounds of the inaugural Nations Championship, with the appointments for the final series of the competition yet to be announced.
The schedule sees officials from nine unions take charge of 18 games during November, including a number of major clashes in between Six Nations and Rugby Championship heavyweights.
England’s opening meeting with Australia at the Allianz Stadium Twickenham will be overseen by France’s Pierre Brousset, while Andrea Piardi has been given arguably the biggest task of the second round, taking charge of France’s clash with South Africa at the Stade de France.
There is also the notable appointment of Hollie Davidson, who will referee France’s final pool game against Argentina in Saint-Denis on November 21. The Scot continues to break new ground at Test level and is the only woman named among the appointments announced so far.
Veteran New Zealander Ben O’Keeffe has been given a date with Scotland Japan in Edinburgh, while Nic Berry will referee England’s clash in the blockbuster New Zealand later that afternoon in London.
Andrew Brace received two appointments, taking charge Scotland against New Zealand in the first round before overseeing Italy against Fiji in Udine two weeks later.
Pierre Brousset is also a double choice, which follows England against Australia with Wales v New Zealand in Cardiff.
Officers for Nations Championship the final, which is scheduled to take place after the pool stage, will be confirmed at a later date.
1st round
Ireland v Argentina: Luke Pearce (RFU)
Italy v South Africa: Eoghan Cross (IRFU)
Scotland v New Zealand: Andrew Brace (IRFU)
Wales in Japan: Paul Williams (NZR)
France v Fiji: Carl Dixon (RFU)
England v Australia: Pierre Brousset (FFR)
2nd round
France v South Africa: Andrea Piardi (FIR)
Italy vs Argentina: Nika Amashukelli (GRU)
Wales v New Zealand: Pierre Brousset (FFR)
England v Japan: Damián Schneider (UAR)
Ireland v Fiji: Angus Gardner (RA)
Scotland v Australia: James Doleman (NZR)
3rd round
England v New Zealand: Nic Berry (RA)
Scotland v Japan: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR)
Ireland v South Africa: Christophe Ridley (RFU)
Italy v Fiji: Andrew Brace (IRFU)
France v Argentina: Hollie Davidson (SRU)
Wales v Australia: Luc Ramos (FFR)