World Rugby Confirms Match Officials for WXV Global Series 2026
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
World Rugby has confirmed the match officials who will oversee the WXV Global Series 2026 and WXV Global Series Challenger 2026, with both competitions scheduled to take place during September and October.
The appointments include referees from several countries who will officiate matches across the two international women’s rugby competitions.
Ten Referees Selected for WXV Global Series
A total of 10 referees from eight nations will officiate the 30 matches in the inaugural WXV Global Series.
The competition features 12 of the world’s leading women’s rugby teams and will begin in Manchester on September 12, before concluding in Cape Town on October 31.
Four referees will each take charge of four matches during the series:
- Maggie Cogger-Orr — New Zealand
- Ella Goldsmith — Australia
- Aurélie Groizeleau — France
- Holly Wood — England
Groizeleau will referee the opening match between England and Australia. She is also set to reach an important career milestone later in the competition, when she takes charge of the England-Canada match in Toronto on October 16. The appointment would make her the fourth female referee to reach 50 international tests in 2026.
Jess Ling of Australia has been appointed referee for the final WXV Global Series match between South Africa and Ireland in Cape Town on October 31.
Referees Appointed for Hong Kong Challenger
The WXV Global Series Challenger will be held in Hong Kong from September 13 to 26, featuring six teams.
Amber Stamp-Dunstan of Wales will referee the opening game between Spain and Fiji.
Other officials selected for the competition include:
- Hibiki Ikeda — Japan
- Precious Pazani — Zimbabwe
- Emma Gallagher — Canada
- Giana Viljoen — South Africa
- Sunny Lee — Hong Kong China
The opening matches will be played at Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground, with the selected officials handling games throughout the tournament.
New International Milestones
The appointments also provide opportunities for several match officials to reach new career milestones.
Bérénice Loubet and Giana Viljoen are set to make their international test debuts as referees, while Finlay Brown will serve as a Television Match Official in a test match for the first time.
World Rugby said the appointments reflect its continued focus on developing and providing opportunities for match officials in international women’s rugby.
