The match officials for the upcoming men’s Six Nations in 2024 have been officially revealed, promising an exhilarating series of fixtures. The tournament will kick off with a showdown between France and Ireland at the Orange Velodrome in Marseille, with the highly experienced Karl Dickson of England serving as the referee. Reigning champions Ireland are expected to face a formidable challenge in their title defense against Les Bleus.
Joining Dickson, Paul Williams from New Zealand will officiate the Italy v England match, while Ben O’Keeffe, also from New Zealand, will oversee the Wales v Scotland game in Cardiff. A total of 15 referees from eight different nations will participate in the tournament, with a significant milestone being achieved as Andrea Piardi becomes the first Italian to referee a Six Nations fixture.
The referee team boasts a balance of Rugby World Cup veterans and fresh talent, with debut appearances by England’s Christophe Ridley, France’s Pierre Brousset, and Scotland’s Hollie Davidson adding to the anticipation for the championship. With a combined total of 458 Tests of experience in the middle, we can expect top-notch officiating as Ireland aims to defend their title.
Phil Davies, World Rugby director of rugby, has expressed his enthusiasm for the new selection and the organization’s dedication to nurturing the next generation of match officiating talent. He emphasized the importance of collaborating with international coaches and players in shaping the future of officiating.
Joël Jutge, World Rugby’s high performance 15s match officials manager, echoed this sentiment and conveyed his excitement for the beginning of a new Rugby World Cup cycle. He extended congratulations to the appointed referees for the upcoming roles in the 2024 Men’s Guinness Six Nations.
The official match officials for the Six Nations 2024 are as follows:
Friday, February 2
– France v Ireland
Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU)
Assistant Referees: Matthew Carley (RFU), Jordan Way (RA)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
Saturday, February 3
– Italy v England
Referee: Paul Williams (NZR)
Assistant Referees: Nic Berry (RA), Pierre Brousset (FFR)
TMO: Brett Cronan (RA)
– Wales v Scotland
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR)
Assistant Referees: James Doleman (NZR), Angus Mabey (NZR)
TMO: Brendon Pickerill (NZR)
The Six Nations 2024 is shaping up to be a thrilling tournament with an impressive lineup of match officials. As anticipation builds, rugby enthusiasts worldwide can look forward to an unforgettable competition featuring world-class refereeing.