Nic Berry has been handed the chance to referee Ireland’s potentially explosive clash with the All Blacks in next month’s opening autumn international (Friday, Nov 8), when Andy Farrell’s men seek revenge for their World Cup exit.
The fallout from that clash has exploded with comments in Jonathan Sexton’s biography about the bitter exchange of words in the aftermath, as well as the ongoing controversy about the penalty decision that ended the game.
Scotswoman Hollie Davidson will also feature during the campaign by taking charge of Fiji’s visit.
Andrea Piardi from Italy will officiate when Joe Schmidt’s Australia close the four-match series on November 30th.
All eyes will be on Aussie Berry however, a referee best known for his involvement in the 2021 British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa.
After taking charge of the first Test in Cape Town, a video made by Rassie Erasmus, the Springboks’ director of rugby, criticising the Australian’s decision-making throughout the game was leaked.
Erasmus was subsequently found guilty of threatening Berry, with the official testifying that his reputation had suffered “irreparable damage”. Erasmus was banned from all rugby activities for two months.
He also took charge of Ireland’s World Cup victory against Scotland last year.
On November 16th, Kiwi whistler Paul Williams will officiate the clash with Argentina.
Munster’s clash with the All Blacks XV in Thomond Park next month will be refereed by a Japanese official, Takehito Namekawa.
Namekawa will take charge of the November 2 encounter, and has been handed the promotion after spending the summer at the World U20 Trophy and Championship final.
Jérémy Rozier (France) and Reuben Keane (Australia) will make test debuts next month; Keane will take charge of Hong Kong China v Brazil with Rozier to referee the Netherlands v Chile.
Rozier missed the World Rugby U20 Championship 2024 through injury, but eight members of that referee panel have appointments in November.
Six of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 men’s panel are handed appointments in Jordan Way (Australia), Rozier, Keane, Morné Ferreira (South Africa), Adam Leal (England) and Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy) plus George Selwood (England) from the women’s panel.
Georgian Nika Amashukeli will referee the repeat of the Rugby World Cup 2023 opening match between France and New Zealand at Stade de France on November 16.
Fellow Georgian Saba Abulashvili is handed first test appointment as referee by World Rugby – Spain v USA on 23 November – after officiating at U20 Championship in July.