Source: Karl Bridgeman - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images

Top referees selected in new-look development programme

A new-look development referee programme has been introduced in 2024 and features more than 70 of the country’s leading referees. The programme sees the traditional High Performance squad disbanded in favour of a regional model which will allow more referees the exposure to development and training. Split along Super Rugby regional lines, the five squads

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Mind Your Language – The Referees

I’m back to a favourite topic of mine, the unfairness of language in rugby. It takes a different slant this time. I concentrate solely on the eighteen referees designated to cover the three levels of the WXV (full list below). First, congratulations to all of them. The referees’ assessment board goes to inordinate lengths to

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Source: The FA

Match officials confirmed for FA Cup Final

The FA can confirm the 2023 Vitality Women’s FA Cup match officials who will oversee this year’s Final, while also confirming that VAR will be used for the very first time in the competition. Suffolk-based official Emily Heaslip will lead a team including assistant referees Georgia Ball and Chloe-Ann Small, with Abigail Byrne as fourth

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Source: Hagen Hopkins - World Rugby via Getty Images)

Refereeing the Big Matches

It has saddened me to see adverse reports of Clara Munarini’s handling of the crucial Scotland-Wales game. Specifically, she didn’t show Wales a yellow card till the 65th minute, despite giving a flurry of penalties against them as they defended by all means at their disposal. A penalty kick completed by Keira Bevan was the

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Source: World Rugby

Hollie Davidson set to create history

Scottish referee Hollie Davidson will create history on 25 June when she leads an all-female match official team for the Portugal v Italy men’s international at the Estadio do Restelo in Lisbon. Davidson will have Sara Cox (England) and Aurélie Groizeleau (France) as her assistant referees and Claire Hodnett (England) as the Television Match Official

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Source: Phil Mingo/Pinnacle/RFU

World Cup Appointments – Women to the Fore

The nine names to referee the 2021 World Cup offer no surprises, only pleasure that for the first time all of them will be women. They are: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa), Maggie Cogger-Orr (New Zealand), Sara Cox (England), Hollie Davidson (Scotland), Aurélie Groizeleau (France), Lauren Jenner (New Zealand), Clara Munarini (Italy), Amber McLachlan (Australia) and

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Source: New Zealand Rugby

Referees see new Horizons

The Six Nations offers a welcome first that has fallen largely under the radar. Here are selected details of the officials covering the last two rounds of the Six Nations: Round 4 Wales v France Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr (NZR) Italy v Scotland Referee: Lauren Jenner (NZR) England v Ireland Referee: Amber McLachlan (RA) TMO: Lee

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Source: UEFA/Getty Images

Referee teams appointed for UEFA Women’s EURO 2022

The UEFA Referees’ Committee has appointed the 12 referees and their referee assistant teams who will take charge of the 31 matches at UEFA Women’s EURO 2022, which will take place in England from 6 to 31 July. The full list of referees who have been selected (in alphabetical order): Jana Adámková (Czech Republic) Iuliana

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