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World Rugby has confirmed the referees for the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup. The sport’s governing body has appointed ten referees in a group of twenty-two officials for the tournament which England will host starting on August 22.
The group of twenty-two officials contains two from the Americas. Kat Roche (USA) is the only Americas referee while Amelia Luciano (USA) has been appointed as an assistant referee. No officials have been appointed from Canada. This is despite the Canadian Women’s team being ranked no 2 in the World Rankings.
World Rugby has opted for a female dominated panel. Seventeen of the twenty-two officials are women. The five men appointed will not be on camera as they are all Television Match Officials (TMO) rather than referees or assistant referees.
The referees are Kat Roche (USA), Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa), Sara Cox (England), Hollie Davidson (Scotland), Ella Goldsmith (Australia), Aurélie Groizeleau (France), Lauren Jenner (Italy), Clara Munarini (Italy), and Natarsha Ganley and Maggie Cogger-Orr (New Zealand).
Amelia Luciano (USA) joins Maria Heitor (Portugal), Jess Ling (Australia), Amber Stamp-Dunstan (Wales), and Holly Wood (England). Precious Pazani (Zimbabwe) is included as a reserve referee. The appointment of Ling is of note given she is only 22-years-old and other countries, such as Canada, missed out altogether in having officials appointed.
The TMOs are Leo Colgan (Ireland), Ian Tempest (England), Rachel Horton (Australia), Quinton Immelman (South Africa), Matteo Liperini (Italy), and Andrew McMenemy (Scotland).
The Americas will have three competitors at the 16-team tournament: USA, Canada and Brazil. As Yaras will benefit if Portugal’s Maria Heitor is appointed to their matches as the common language will be very helpful.
