Aurelie Groizeleau and Sara Cox have been given the dual-honour of heralding the start of the 2020 Women’s Six Nations as referees of the two opening fixtures next February.
Groizeleau takes charge of Scotland’s trip to face Ireland at Energia Park, while across the Irish Sea Cox will hold the cards as Wales take on Italy at Cardiff Arms Park.
The former will then return to Six Nations officiating duties for reigning Grand Slam champions England’s final fixture of the Championship against Italy on Sunday 15 March, while the latter will take charge of Scotland’s clash with France in Round 4.
Herself a former Six Nations champion, experienced referee Joy Neville will once again trade the ball for a whistle when she oversees a match for the fifth consecutive Championship when Italy face Scotland in Round 3.
Two of the Six Nations’ most decorated sides – who have split the last four titles between them – meet in what looks set to be one of the Championships’ biggest clashes on opening weekend, with Stade du Hameau the stage and Aimee Barrett-Theron the referee for France against England.
Barrett-Theron is back in action the following week at Energia Park when Ireland meet Wales, while Rebecca Mahoney, Hollie Davidson, Clara Munarini, Nicky O’Donnell and Amber McLachlan complete the contingent of referees for the Championship.
And it is McLachlan who will bring the 2020 Women’s Six Nations to a close when she blows the final blast for full time in France and Ireland’s finale.
Click here for a full list of 2020 Women’s Six Nations fixtures
2020 Women’s Six Nations Refereeing appointments:
ROUND 1
Ireland v Scotland
Referee: Aurelie Groizeleau (FFR)
Assistant 1: Clara Munarini (FIR)
Assistant 2: Maria Pacifico (FIR)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
Wales v Italy
Referee: Sara Cox (RFU)
Assistant 1: Nikki O’Donnell (RFU)
Assistant 2: Laura Pettingale (RFU)
TMO: David Grashoff (RFU)
France v England
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SARU)
Assistant 1: Joy Neville (IRFU)
Assistant 2: Beatrice Benvenuti (FIR)
TMO: Simon McDowell (IRFU)
ROUND 2
France v Italy
Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU)
Assistant 1: Nikki O’Donnell (RFU)
Assistant 2: Katherine Ritchie (SRU)
TMO: Simon McDowell (IRFU)
Scotland v England
Referee: Clara Munarini (FIR)
Assistant 1: Aurelie Groizeleau (FFR)
Assistant 2: Maria Pacifico (FIR)
TMO: Stefano Penne (FIR)
Ireland v Wales
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SARU)
Assistant 1: Laura Pettingale (RFU)
Assistant 2: Beatrice Benvenuti (FIR)
TMO: Neil Patterson (SRU)
ROUND 3
Wales v France
Referee: Nicky O’Donnell (RFU)
Assistant 1: Laura Pettingale (IRFU)
Assistant 2: Clare Daniels (RFU)
TMO: Claire Hodnett (RFU)
England v Ireland
Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU)
Assistant 1: Clara Munarini (FIR)
Assistant 2: Katherine Ritchie (SRU)
TMO: Neil Patterson (SRU)
Italy v Scotland
Referee: Joy Neville (IRFU)
Assistant 1: Aurelie Groizeleau (FFR)
Assistant 2: Doriane Domenjo (FFR)
TMO: Olly Hodges (IRFU)
ROUND 4
England v Wales
Referee: Amber McLachlan (RA)
Assistant 1: Clara Munarini (FIR)
Assistant 2: Katherine Ritchie (SRU)
TMO: Olly Hodges (IRFU)
Scotland v France
Referee: Sara Cox (RFU)
Assistant 1: Nikki O’Donnell (RFU)
Assistant 2: Clare Daniels (RFU)
TMO: Alan Falzone (FIR)
Ireland v Italy
Referee: Rebecca Mahoney (NZR)
Assistant 1: Hollie Davidson (SRU)
Assistant 2: Francesca Martin (WRU)
TMO: Ian Davies (WRU)
ROUND 5
Wales v Scotland
Referee: Rebecca Mahoney (NZR)
Assistant 1: Laura Pettingale (RFU)
Assistant 2: Beatrice Benvenuti (FIR)
TMO: Claire Hodnett (RFU)
Italy v England
Referee: Aurelie Groizeleau (FFR)
Assistant 1: Hollie Davidson (SRU)
Assistant 2: Doriane Domenjo (FFR)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
France v Ireland
Referee: Amber McLachlan (RA)
Assistant 1: Sara Cox (RFU)
Assistant 2: Francesca Martin (WRU)
TMO: Ian Davies (WRU)
