Berard, LaBrèche, Trumbull to ref Six Nations

Top USA referee Leah Berard and Canadian duo Rose LaBrèche and Sherry Trumbull have been appointed to the World Rugby referee panel for the upcoming Women’s Six Nations tournament. Berard and Trumbull have been given two matches each, while LaBrèche will make her Six Nations bow on February 28 as Wales host France. Berard will take charge of Ireland vs Wales and Italy vs England on consecutive weekends, while Trumbull gets the final two rounds with England vs Wales and Ireland vs Scotland.

Berard, from Wisconsin, won her first test appointment in 2011 and has since become a regular on the HSBC World Sevens Series. In 2013 Berard was given the honour of refereeing the final of the Women’s World Cup 7s in Russia, and in 2014 was one of eight referees at the Women’s World Cup in France. She officiated three matches, including Ireland’s upset win over New Zealand in Marcoussis.

LaBrèche was recently named Ontario’s match official of the year after making her test debut in Edmonton, standing in the middle of New Zealand and USA. She made her first appearances at the World Sevens Series last season and this season was added to the senior referee panel. The Ottawa resident took part in the Dubai tournament this past weekend along with Berard.

Earlier this year Trumbull was awarded Canada’s referee of the year award for 2014. The Lindsay, Ontario, native has been refereeing international rugby since 2010, taking part in both the 2010 and 2014 Women’s World Cups. Last year she was awarded the bronze final between Ireland and France at Stade Jean Bouin, and in 2012 refereed England vs New Zealand at Twickenham.

2016 WOMEN’S SIX NATIONS APPOINTMENTS

Feb 5 – Scotland vs England – Jess Beard (NZRU)
Feb 6 – Ireland vs Wales – Leah Berard (USAR)
Feb 6 – France vs Italy – Sara Cox (RFU)

Feb 12 – Italy vs England – Leah Berard (USAR)
Feb 13 – France vs Ireland – Jess Beard (NZRU)
Feb 14 – Wales vs Scotland – Claire Hodnett (RFU)

Feb 26 – Italy vs Scotland – Marie Lematte (FFR)
Feb 27 – England vs Ireland – Alhambra Nievas (FER)
Feb 28 – Wales vs France – Rose LaBrèche (RC)

Mar 11 – Scotland vs France – Helen O’Reilly (IRFU)
Mar 11 – England vs Wales – Sherry Trumbull (RC)
Mar 13 – Ireland vs Italy – Amy Perrett (ARU)

Mar 18 – France vs England – Amy Perrett (ARU)
Mar 20 – Ireland vs Scotland – Sherry Trumbull (RC)
Mar 20 – Wales vs Italy – Sara Cox (RFU)