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06 Sept 2025
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Limerick woman Joy Neville will become the first woman to officiate at a men’s Rugby World Cup next autumn, when taking her place as TMO
WORLD Rugby has confirmed the team of match officials who have been selected for Rugby World Cup 2023 in France later this year.
Four Irish officials are included in the total of 26 Emirates Match Officials (12 referees, seven assistant referees and seven Television Match Officials) representing nine nations with more than 630 test appearances between them.
Limerick-based Andrew Brace is named in the Referee panel, with Chris Busby in the Assistant Referee panel, while Limerick woman Joy Neville and Brian MacNeice are in the TMO panel.
In an experienced referee group, Wayne Barnes (England), holder of the most test appearances (102), will officiate in a fifth-straight Rugby World Cup in the country in which he debuted in 2007. Meanwhile, Nika Amashukeli will make history as the first Georgian to officiate at a Rugby World Cup.
Rugby World Cup 2017 final referee Joy Neville becomes the first woman to officiate at a men’s Rugby World Cup, taking her place as TMO.
Fellow TMO Ben Whitehouse (Wales) will follow in the footsteps of his father Nigel, who was an assistant referee and TMO at RWC 2003.
Speaking about the appointments, IRFU Head of Referees Dudley Phillips commented, “We are very proud to have 4 Match Officials appointed to represent the IRFU at Rugby World Cup 2023 which is the result of the hard work & dedication of our entire team on and off the field.
“To be selected to represent your country at a World Cup is the pinnacle of an athlete’s career, which very few get to experience.
"With Andy Brace being selected for a second World Cup he continues to cement himself as a leading referee. Joy, Chris & Brian continue to rise through the ranks and are rewarded with their first selections to a World Cup.
"We are also extremely proud of Joy as the first female Match Official to be selected to officiate at a men’s World Cup.
“We look forward to watching & supporting Andy, Chris, Joy & Brian in their fixtures leading up to and including the World Cup itself.”
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