French Referee Appointed for RWC Final for the First Time

A French referee has been appointed for the RWC Final for the first time. France’s Jérôme Garcès will take charge of England vs South Africa, the deciding match as to who are the 2019 World Champions.

Garcès has refereed in 10 prior RWC matches and a total of 55 test matches overall. Joining Garcès for the RWC Final in Yokohama will be assistants Romain Poite (France), and Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), and TMO Ben Skeen (New Zealand).

The RWC Final will be on Saturday, one day after the Bronze Final. Competing in Tokyo on Friday will be New Zealand, and Wales. That match will be officiated by England’s Wayne Barnes. It is to be his second Bronze Final following the RWC 2011 match between Australia and Wales.

Barnes is the most experienced referee in RWC history. He has officiated 21 matches and has a decorated overall career of taking charge of 90 test matches in total.

Assisting Barnes will be Jaco Peyper (South Africa) and Pascal Gaüzère (France) while the TMO will be Marius Jonker (South Africa).

RWC FINALS – REFEREES

1987 – Kerry Fitzgerald (Australia)
1991 – Derek Bevan (Wales)
1995 – Ed Morrison (England)
1999 – Andre Watson (South Africa)
2003 – Andre Watson (South Africa)
2007 – Alain Rolland (Ireland)
2011 – Craig Joubert (South Africa)
2015 – Nigel Owens (Wales)
2019 – Jérôme Garcès (France)