The two match Canada vs USA series is to be refereed by Welsh and Irish officials, it has been confirmed. World Rugby has announced the appointments for all upcoming test matches in the June window, including up to July 15.
Canada is to have home advantage against the USA on June 24. The venue for the fixture is yet to be determined though the RWC qualifier will be officiated by Ben Whitehouse of Wales. He is to be assisted by Andrew Brace (Ireland) and Shuhei Kubo (Japan) while Sean Davey (England) is to be the TMO.
The return RWC qualifier will be on U.S. soil. The venue for the Eagles’ home encounter is also yet to be determined. What is confirmed is that a shuffling of officials will see Brace refereeing the match while Whitehouse will join Kubo as an assistant.
Prior to the RWC qualifiers both Canada and the USA will play home test matches against European opposition. Officials for these matches have also been confirmed.
The Eagles will take-on Ireland in New Jersey on June 10. Luke Pearce (England) will referee the match. He is to be assisted by Federico Anselmi (Argentina) and Chris Assmus (Canada). Neil Paterson (Scotland) will be the TMO.
Also batting-it-out on June 10 will be Canada and Georgia. Their test match is to be played at Calgary Rugby Park. Brace is to be the referee with Kubo and Whitehouse being his assistants. No TMO has yet been appointed by World Rugby for the match.
Georgia will go from Calgary to Georgia, the U.S. state to play the following weekend. The June 17 test match will be refereed by Anselmi with Pearce and Assmus being his assistants. Paterson will again act as TMO.
Up in Edmonton Canada will play host to Romania. The fixture is to be refereed by Kubo with Brace and Whitehouse being the assistants. The TMO remains undetermined.