Refereeing appointments confirmed for Rugby World Cup

World Rugby have confirmed the match official appointments for the pool stages of the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, with South Africa’s Aimee Barrett-Theron taking charge of the opener between hosts England and former champions USA at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light on August 22.

It will be the second time Barrett-Theron will officiate the curtain-raiser, having also overseen the opening match of the 2017 edition when England faced Spain. She will be joined by assistant referees Natarsha Ganley (New Zealand) and Maria Heitor (Portugal), with Leo Colgan (Ireland) as TMO. Heitor’s appointment marks a historic first for Portugal on the World Cup stage, while Zimbabwe’s Precious Pazani will become the first African female official outside of South Africa to be involved in a World Cup match when she serves as an assistant for Australia and Samoa’s clash in Manchester the following day.

Ganley, Ella Goldsmith (Australia), and Kat Roche (USA) are all set to make their World Cup refereeing debuts. Goldsmith, who previously worked as an assistant referee, will take charge of reigning champions New Zealand’s opener against Spain in York on August 24. Four officials — Maggie Cogger-Orr (New Zealand), Sara Cox (England), Aurélie Groizeleau (France), and Hollie Davidson (Scotland) — will each oversee three matches in the opening rounds.

History will also be made when Sara Cox becomes the first female referee to officiate 50 Test matches when she takes charge of Japan and Spain in York on September 7.

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Chair of Emirates World Rugby match officials selection committee and executive board member, Su Carty said: “Firstly, a big congratulations to the match officials, who have earned their place and appointments on merit. Rugby is a team sport, and every step of the way, this group of exceptional people have worked tirelessly as a team to calibrate, review and advance. This will continue throughout Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025. I know that they are all excited in playing their part in facilitating great matches that will be at the heart of an era-defining competition.”

World Rugby women’s high performance referee manager Alhambra Nievas added: “Congratulations to all our match officials. Everyone will play their part in the pool phase. With less than 50 days to go, we are all now focused on being the best we can be on and off the field. There is an incredible camaraderie and bond within this group, and I look forward to seeing our team in action, doing what they do best at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025.”

Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 panel

Referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa), Maggie Cogger-Orr (New Zealand), Sara Cox (England), Hollie Davidson (Scotland), Ella Goldsmith (Australia), Natarsha Ganley (New Zealand), Aurélie Groizeleau (France), Lauren Jenner (Italy), Clara Munarini (Italy), Kat Roche (USA).

Assistant referees: Maria Heitor (Portugal), Jess Ling (Australia), Amelia Luciano (USA), Precious Pazani (Zimbabwe, reserve referee), Amber Stamp-Dunstan (Wales), Holly Wood (England).

Television Match Officials: Leo Colgan (Ireland), Rachel Horton (Australia), Quinton Immelman (South Africa), Matteo Liperini (Italy), Andrew McMenemy (Scotland), Ian Tempest (England).