Ben O'Keeffe set to reach 60-test milestone as World Rugby confirms Nations Cup referee panel

World Rugby has confirmed the match official appointments for the November window of the inaugural Nations Cup, with 18 referees drawn from 11 unions set to oversee 18 matches across Europe and Hong Kong between November 6 and 21.

The competition resumes after three rounds of action in July, with Georgia and the USA the only unbeaten teams remaining and currently leading their respective pools. The Nations Cup brings together 12 Rugby World Cup 2027-qualified nations from emerging and developing rugby markets, forming part of World Rugby’s new global competition structure designed to increase meaningful international fixtures and provide a clearer pathway to the expanded 24-team Rugby World Cup in Australia.

Australia’s Angus Gardner will referee the opening fixture of the November window when Romania host Tonga in Bucharest on November 6. The following day, New Zealand’s Ben O’Keeffe will reach a personal milestone, taking charge of his 60th Test match when Spain face Uruguay on November 7.

The tournament concludes on November 21, when Wales’ Ben Breakspear referees Zimbabwe versus Chile at Stade Chanzy in Angoulême, France. Breakspear is one of five referees who also officiated Nations Cup matches during the July window.

World Rugby stated that appointments were made with both development and Rugby World Cup preparation in mind, giving officials experience with teams they may oversee at the 2027 tournament while ensuring competing nations benefit from some of the most experienced referees currently on the international panel.

Alongside the Nations Cup panel, World Rugby announced appointments for five representative fixtures in October and November. Georgia’s Nika Amashukeli will referee Japan against Fiji in Tokyo on October 24 — a rematch of the recent Pacific Nations Cup final — and will also take charge of England A versus Argentina XV in Bath on November 6. Japan’s Katsuki Furuse and Argentina’s Damián Schneider will oversee the two USA versus Australia A fixtures, while England’s George Selwood has been appointed to referee Ireland XV against Fiji A in Cork on November 20.

Appointments for the Nations Championship Northern Hemisphere Series are due to be announced separately.