World Rugby reveals Match Officials for #RWC2025 warm-up matches

World Rugby has announced the Match Official appointments for the World Cup 2025 warm-up matches in July and August.

Twelve referees from nine nations will take charge of the 18 matches, nine of whom will be in the middle for Women’s World Cup 2025 matches with Hollie Davidson (Scotland) the exception due to her appointments in the men’s July international window.

In total, 20 of the 22-strong panel for England 2025 have appointments for these warm-up matches held in 11 countries across all six of World Rugby’s regional associations.

Clara Munarini (Italy) will take charge of the opening match between South Africa and Canada at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on July 5. This is part of a double header with the Springboks’ first test with Italy, which Davidson will referee.

Aurélie Groizeleau (France) will take charge of three warm-up matches with four officials refereeing two tests in Sara Cox (England), Natarsha Ganley (New Zealand), Lauren Jenner (Italy) and Clara Munarini (Italy).

Munarini’s second appointment – Ireland v Scotland in Cork on August 2 – will be her 35th test in the middle, taking her past Clare Daniels to ensure that the Women’s World Cup 2025 will have the five most-capped female officials in history involved.

Precious Pazani (Zimbabwe) is an assistant referee for England 2025 and will referee the second test between South Africa and Canada in Gqeberha on July 12.

Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa) will referee the repeat of the Women’s Six Nations grand slam decider between France and England in Mont de Marsan on August 9.

Two officials from the Women’s RWC 2025 panel not involved in this window are Hollie Davidson and Television Match Official Quinton Immelman (South Africa). Davidson has appointments in the men’s July window, while Immelman is acting as a TMO at the World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy.

Canadian officials Emma Gallagher and Kristine Lovatt have been appointed for the series involving Women’s Rugby World Cup debutants Brazil against the Netherlands and will each referee one test.