Overview
- World Rugby published the full match-official list for the opening July block on Thursday, June 4, confirming referees, assistant referees and TMOs for the 18 fixtures.
- England’s Luke Pearce was handed the marquee opening game and will referee New Zealand v France in Christchurch on 4 July.
- South Africa’s three home Tests have named referees: James Doleman for South Africa v England, Pierre Brousset for South Africa v Scotland and Andrew Brace for South Africa v Wales.
- Hollie Davidson is appointed to Fiji v England on 11 July and will reach 50 Test appointments, becoming the first Scottish referee and the third female official to hit that mark.
- The July phase uses 16 referees from eight nations within a 35-official pool drawn from 11 unions, with Ben O’Keeffe and Nic Berry each receiving two appointments and parallel Nations Cup and warm-up lists also published to support referee development and selection.