- Aimee Barrett-Theron will become the second female to referee 50 tests after the appointments were announced for the Guinness Women’s Six Nations, Pacific Four Series and the inaugural U21 Women’s Six Nations Series.
"VAN" (Sports Desk - 17.02.2026) :: As a new Women’s Rugby World Cup cycle begins, the Emirates World Rugby Match Official appointments have been made for the Guinness Women’s Six Nations, Pacific Four Series and the inaugural U21 Women’s Six Nations Series.
The Women’s Six Nations and the Pacific Four Series both get underway on Saturday, 11 April – a couple of weeks after Australia host Fiji in a one-off test match in Canberra which Maggie Cogger-Orr (New Zealand) will take charge of.
With Sara Cox (England) and Lauren Jenner (Italy), now the General Manager of International Rugby Match Officials (IRMO), having retired from international rugby since Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, two officials will make their Women’s Six Nations debuts in 2026 in Jess Ling (Australia) and Zoe Naude (South Africa), while Julianne Zussman (Canada) and Amber McLachlan (Australia) return in the Pacific Four Series after having children.
Eight officials representing five nations and boasting a total of 192 tests between them will take charge of the 15 matches in the Women’s Six Nations from 11 April-17 May. A total of 29 officials from 12 nations will be involved in the championship, 12 of whom were on the RWC 2025 panel.
Barrett-Theron and Aurélie Groizeleau (France) will then join Zussman and McLachlan to referee the six matches that make up the Pacific Four Series 2026, which runs from 11-25 April. Fourteen officials in total will be involved in the tournament with matches in the United States and Australia.
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