World Rugby names referees for inaugural Nations Championship as Davidson makes history

World Rugby has confirmed the match officials for the opening three rounds of the inaugural 2026 Nations Championship, with officials drawn from nine unions set to oversee 18 fixtures across November. Appointments for the competition’s finals series will be announced at a later date.

The standout selection among the confirmed appointments is Hollie Davidson, who will referee France’s final pool-stage fixture against Argentina in Saint-Denis on November 21. The Scottish official is the only female referee named in the release and continues to extend her record-breaking run at Test level.

France’s Pierre Brousset has received two assignments: England’s opening-round meeting with Australia at Allianz Stadium Twickenham, and Wales’ round-two clash with New Zealand in Cardiff. Ireland’s Andrew Brace is similarly double-booked, taking charge of Scotland versus New Zealand in round one before overseeing Italy against Fiji in Udine in round three.

Among the other headline appointments, Andrea Piardi has been handed what is arguably the most high-profile single fixture of the pool phase — France against South Africa at the Stade de France in round two. Veteran New Zealander Ben O’Keeffe will referee Scotland’s meeting with Japan in Edinburgh, while Nic Berry takes charge of England’s blockbuster round-three encounter with New Zealand in London.

Round 1

Ireland v Argentina: Luke Pearce (RFU); Italy v South Africa: Eoghan Cross (IRFU); Scotland v New Zealand: Andrew Brace (IRFU); Wales v Japan: Paul Williams (NZR); France v Fiji: Karl Dickson (RFU); England v Australia: Pierre Brousset (FFR).

Round 2

France v South Africa: Andrea Piardi (FIR); Italy v Argentina: Nika Amashukeli (GRU); Wales v New Zealand: Pierre Brousset (FFR); England v Japan: Damián Schneider (UAR); Ireland v Fiji: Angus Gardner (RA); Scotland v Australia: James Doleman (NZR).

Round 3

England v New Zealand: Nic Berry (RA); Scotland v Japan: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR); Ireland v South Africa: Christophe Ridley (RFU); Italy v Fiji: Andrew Brace (IRFU); France v Argentina: Hollie Davidson (SRU); Wales v Australia: Luc Ramos (FFR).