Match officials announced for bumper series of women’s test matches

World Rugby has announced the match official appointments for a bumper series of test matches involving all five of the world’s top ranked teams.

With the road to Women's Rugby World Cup 2021 well underway for teams and match officials, test series in Fiji, USA, Australia and New Zealand will provide a feast of action for fans between May and August.

The action kicks off with the Asia Pacific Women's Championship between Fiji, Hong Kong and Samoa in Lautoka with New Zealand’s Rebecca Mahoney, Australia’s Amber Hibbard and Amy Perrett taking charge of the matches.

Attention then turns to the Women’s Rugby Super Series in the USA from 28 June-14 July, featuring world champions New Zealand, England, France, USA and Canada. World Rugby Referee Award 2017 recipient Joy Neville (Ireland), Sara Cox (England), Hollie Davidson (Scotland), Perrett, Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa) and Mahoney will take charge of the matches.

Australia will welcome Japan for two tests in July with Amelia Luciano (USA) and Aurelie Groizeleau (France) appointed as referees. Australia and New Zealand will then play home and away tests in August with Davidson taking charge of the first test and Barrett-Theron refereeing the second.

VIEW THE APPOINTMENTS HERE >>

The appointments were made by the World Rugby Match Officials Selection Committee after a thorough review of recent international, cross-border and domestic officiating.

World Rugby High Performance 15s Match Official Manager Alain Rolland said: “This is an exciting time for women’s rugby and the forthcoming tests are some of the biggest in the sport outside of a Women’s Rugby World Cup. These appointments have been made on merit and reflect our ambition of preparing a superb team of match officials, not just for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021, but for men’s international competition.”

World Rugby Referee Talent Manager Alhambra Nievas added: “Just like the players, we are building towards Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021. We have an outstanding group of match officials and we continue to work hard on ensuring a consistent standard of clear and accurate decision-making. These tests are an important milestone on the road to New Zealand 2021.”