The match official for every fixture in this year’s championship - (2026)

The Six Nations has arrived, and so, inevitably, have controversial refereeing decisions and TMO debates.

The job of a match official is not an easy one, and players must maintain respect for the referees in all interactions. As must supporters.

World Rugby‘s laws for the appointment of referees are clear and simple:

The referee is appointed by the match organiser. If no referee has been appointed, the two teams agree upon a referee. If they cannot agree, the home team appoints a referee.

If the referee is unable to complete the match, the referee’s replacement is appointed according to the instructions of the match organiser. If the match organiser has given no instructions, the referee appoints a replacement. If the referee cannot do so, the home team appoints a replacement.

As a result, refereeing officials do not come from the countries involved in the fixture.

Here are the men with whistles for the 2019 edition of the Six Nations:

Round One

France vs Wales: 8pm (GMT) 1 February 2019, Stade de France

• Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
• Assistants: Andrew Brace (Ireland), Brendon Pickerell (New Zealand)
• TMO: Rowan Kitt (England)

Scotland vs Italy: 2.15pm (GMT) 2 February 2019, Murrayfield

• Referee: Luke Pearce (England)
• Assistants: Mathieu Raynal (France), Shuhei Kubo (Japan)
• TMO: Simon McDowell (Ireland)

Ireland vs England: 4.45pm (GMT) 2 February 2019, Aviva Stadium

• Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)
• Assistants: Romain Poite (France), Alexandre Ruiz (France)
• TMO: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)

Round Two

Scotland vs Ireland: 2.15pm (GMT) 9 February 2019, Murrayfield

• Referee: Romain Poite (France)
• Assistants: Pascal Gauzere (France), Alexandre Ruiz (France)
• TMO: Rowan Kitt (England)

Italy vs Wales: 4.45pm (GMT) 9 February 2019, Stadio Olimpico

• Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
• Assistants: Wayne Barnes (England), Shuhei Kubo (Japan)
• TMO: David Grashoff (England)

England vs France: 3pm (GMT) 10 February 2019, Twickenham

• Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
• Assistants: Andrew Brace (Ireland), Brendon Pickerell (New Zealand)
• TMO: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)

Round Three

France vs Scotland: 3.15pm (GMT) 23 February 2019, Stade de France

• Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)
• Assistants: Nigel Owens (Wales), Andrew Brace (Ireland)
• TMO: Rowan Kitt (England)

Wales vs England: 4.45pm (GMT) 23 February 2019, Principality Stadium

• Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
• Assistants: Jérôme Garcès (France), Alexandre Ruiz (France)
• TMO: Simon McDowell (Ireland)

Italy vs Ireland: 3pm (GMT) 24 February 2019, Stadio Olimpico

• Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
• Assistants: Wayne Barnes (England), Karl Dickson (England)
• TMO: Graham Hughes (England)

Round Four

Scotland vs Wales: 2.15pm (GMT) 9 March 2019, Murrayfield

• Referee: Pascal Gauzere (France)
• Assistants: Luke Pearce (England), Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
• TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)

England vs Italy: 4.45pm (GMT) 9 March 2019, Twickenham

• Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)
• Assistants: Paul Williams (New Zealand), Andrew Brace (Ireland)
• TMO: Simon McDowell (Ireland)

Ireland vs France: 3pm (GMT) 10 March 2019, Aviva Stadium

• Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zelaand)
• Assistants: Angus Gardner (Australia), Karl Dickson (England)
• TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)

Round Five

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Italy vs France: 12.30pm (GMT) 16 March 2019, Stadio Olimpico

• Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
• Assistants: Nigel Owens (Wales), Andrew Brace (Ireland)
• TMO: Graham Hughes (England)

Wales vs Ireland: 2.45pm (GMT) 16 March 2019, Principality Stadium

• Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
• Assistants: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zelaand), Karl Dickson (England)
• TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)

England vs Scotland: 5pm (GMT) 16 March 2019, Twickenham

• Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
• Assistants: Jérôme Garcès (France), Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
• TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)