The appointments, made by World Rugby’s Match Official Selection Committee, mark another important milestone on the road to Rugby World Cup 2023 in France.
“The next few months are once again going to be busy for our match officials,” said WRU national referee performance manager, Paul Adams.
“Craig Evans has been selected to referee Tonga vs Uruguay and Adam Jones has been rewarded with two games – Netherlands vs Canada and South African Select XV vs Bristol Bears. He will be supported by Rhys Jones and Ben Breakspear who will be his assistant referees and Ian Davies will be TMO for the South African game.”
In addition, Evans will be on AR duty in the England v Japan match at Twickenham and for the clash between France and Australia in Paris. Jones will be on AR duty at the Scotland vs Fiji and Munster v SA Select XV matches.
Ben Whitehouse will return from an eight-week trip to the southern hemisphere where he officiated at the Rugby Championship to feature as TMO for two games.
On his return from the women’s Rugby World Cup, he will be in the box for the games between the French Barbarians and Fiji and England v South Africa.
Joining him on TMO duties will be Sean Brickell and Ian Davies. Brickell is TMO for Romania vs Uruguay and Tonga vs Uruguay whilst Davies in addition to the Bristol game is TMO for Ireland A v All Blacks.
“The next few years represent a testing time for these young referees,” said Adams.
“They have now broken on to the Test match scene and hope to establish themselves in the Test arena and push for places at the 2027 World Cup. There will be plenty of opportunities in the coming months with EPCR due to start before Christmas and then the Guinness Six Nations.”
As with all internationals, the appointments for the Emirates Match Officials are merit-based and have been made following a thorough review of the July internationals and The Rugby Championship. As usual, the match officials will gather ahead of the window to fine tune alignment and consistency, a constant imperative for the team.
World Rugby Selection Committee Chairman Graham Mourie said: “As we move towards next year’s Rugby World Cup, as a group we are constantly challenging ourselves to be better, to achieve greater consistency and clarity of decision-making. There is a great work ethic within the team, and we will continue to ensure that safety, speed and space is our priority.”
