World Rugby has released the Emirates Match Official appointments for the Guinness Women’s Six Nations, the Pacific Four Series and the inaugural U21 Women’s Six Nations Series, signalling the start of a new Women’s Rugby World Cup pathway.
South African referee Aimee Barrett-Theron will headline the appointments as she becomes only the second woman to officiate 50 tests. She will take charge of the Women’s Six Nations opener between France and Italy in Grenoble on 11 April, following in the footsteps of Sara Cox.
A group of ten referees from six unions will oversee fixtures across the Women’s Six Nations and Pacific Four Series, with several debuts confirmed. Australia’s Jess Ling and South Africa’s Zoe Naude will officiate their first Women’s Six Nations matches, while Canada’s Julianne Zussman and Australia’s Amber McLachlan return to the Pacific Four Series after maternity breaks.
Eight referees with a combined 192 tests will handle the 15 Women’s Six Nations fixtures from 11 April to 17 May. Italy’s Clara Munarini will oversee the final between France and England in Bordeaux. Four assistant referees and several TMOs will also debut.
In the Pacific Four Series, Zussman will referee the opening USA–New Zealand match in Sacramento, with Aurélie Groizeleau handling the Australia-New Zealand clash in Queensland.
Su Carty, Chair of the Women’s Emirates Match Officials Selection Committee, praised the appointments as a strong step toward the 2029 World Cup, while High Performance Referee Manager Alhambra Nievas highlighted the balance of experience and emerging talent.
Seven rising officials will also officiate the inaugural U21 Women’s Six Nations Series.
English