Nations Championship referees confirmed with finals weekend appointments TBC

World Rugby has confirmed the match officials for the opening three rounds of the inaugural Nations Championship, with appointments for the competition’s finals series yet to be announced.

The schedule sees officials from nine unions take charge of the 18 fixtures across November, including a number of headline clashes between Six Nations and Rugby Championship heavyweights.

England’s opening-round meeting with Australia at Allianz Stadium Twickenham will be overseen by France’s Pierre Brousset, while Andrea Piardi has landed arguably the biggest assignment of round two, taking charge of France’s showdown with South Africa at the Stade de France.

There is also a notable appointment for Hollie Davidson, who will referee France’s final pool-stage fixture against Argentina in Saint-Denis on November 21. The Scot continues to break new ground at Test level and is the only female referee named among the appointments released so far.

Veteran New Zealander Ben O’Keeffe has been handed Scotland’s meeting with Japan in Edinburgh, while Nic Berry will referee England’s blockbuster clash with New Zealand later the same afternoon in London.

Andrew Brace has received two appointments, taking charge of Scotland versus New Zealand in round one before overseeing Italy against Fiji in Udine two weeks later.

Pierre Brousset is also a two-time selection, following England v Australia with Wales’ meeting against New Zealand in Cardiff.

The officials for the Nations Championship finals, scheduled to take place after the pool phase, will be confirmed at a later date.

Round 1Ireland 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 2France 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 3England 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)