Owens and Joubert head WC refs list
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Welshman Nigel Owens headed a list of 12 referees to officiate at the World Cup in September and October, which was announced by World Rugby on Tuesday.
France lead the way with three referees while there are also two from England, New Zealand, South Africa and Ireland, and Owens from Wales.
Owens is the most experienced having officiated 60 tests in his career, followed by England's Wayne Barnes (57), South Africa's Craig Joubert (55) Frenchman Romain Poite (39) and Ireland's George Clancy (38).
New Zealand's Glen Jackson will become the first former professional player to referee at the World Cup.
The 39-year-old and Chris Pollock, 42, are the two New Zealanders among the 12, while Mike Fraser has been named as one of seven assistant referees and Ben Skeen as a television match official for the tournament in England.
The French Rugby Federation supplies the biggest contingent in Jerome Garces, Romain Poite and Pascal Gauzere.
The referees have officiated 361 tests between them.
World Rugby also announced seven touch judges and four television match officials.
Referees: Wayne Barnes (RFU, 57), George Clancy (IRFU, 38), JP Doyle (RFU, 12), Jerome Garces (FFR, 22), Pascal Gauzere (FFR, 17), Glen Jackson (NZR, 10), Craig Joubert (SARU, 55), John Lacey (IRFU, 13), Nigel Owens (WRU, 60), Jaco Peyper (SARU, 20), Romain Poite (FFR, 39) and Chris Pollock (NZR, 18).
Assistant referees: Federico Anselmi (UAR, five), Stuart Berry (SARU, 15), Mike Fraser (NZR, 10), Angus Gardner (ARU, two), Leighton Hodges (WRU, 19), Marius Mitrea (FIR, 13), Mathieu Raynal (FFR, nine).
Television match officials: George Ayoub (ARU, 33), Graham Hughes (RFU, 60) Ben Skeen (NZR, 11) and Shaun Veldsman (SARU, 50).
AFP
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