Disciplinary Team for Rugby World Cup 2023 Confirmed

World Rugby has announced the Disciplinary Team comprising of citing commissioners and judicial chairs and panel members who will create a one-team approach to officiating and discipline at Rugby World Cup 2023 in France.

The hope for the fans is that little will be heard from the judicial committees appointed for the RWC 2023 but the fact that there are more yellow and red cards in international test rugby means the likelihood they will be involved and perhaps have an impact on the Rugby World Cup, inadvertently.

The governing body says that a consistent approach will operate across the match officiating, citing and judicial approach at France 2023, adding “This is underpinned by regular joint calibration sessions across the respective teams, often involving coaches and players.”

World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont added: “The disciplinary team has been selected on merit and with clear, consistent and accurate decision-making as the central consideration.

This is an extremely talented and experienced group, who are representative of the global game and have been working closely with the match officials and will continue to do so throughout France 2023 to enhance alignment. The selection of former international players, referees and coaches to the disciplinary process in international rugby is central to ensuring rugby empathy in cases and it is great to have people with considerable test experience, not just on the field, but as valued members of our disciplinary team.”

There is one Asian representative among the selected officials – Shao-Ing Wang (Singapore) who will be a Judicial chair. No Asian Official Match Officials were selected for RWC 2023.

Disciplinary Team – Rugby World Cup 2023

13 nations are represented within the disciplinary team, and World Rugby has said the “selection was made on merit & underscores the pathways and processes implemented under independent Judicial Panel Chairman Christopher Quinlan KC and Citing Commissioner Manager Steve Hinds to broaden representation and deepen the talent pool.”

World Rugby’s Independent Judicial Panel Chairman Christopher Quinlan KC added: “The independent judicial team comprises committed and fantastic people, representative of the world game,  with a wealth of on and off-field rugby and other relevant experience. I am grateful to them all for their contribution to the disciplinary process and am proud to be leading them at France 2023.”

• The RWC 2023 Disciplinary Team includes six female team members, including four judicial chairs, who will preside over the tournament’s 48 matches

Citing Commissioners

The panel of eight citing commissioners have significant international rugby experience with five members having previously been selected for Rugby World Cups.

Shaun Gallagher (England)*, Deker Govender (South Africa), Adrien Menez (France), Michael O’Leary (New Zealand)*, David Pelton (USA)*, James Sherriff (Australia), Murray Whyte (Ireland)* and Danae Zamboulis (England).

Judicial Chairs

Adam Casselden SC (Australia)*, Jean-Noël Couraud (France)*, Sir James Dingemans (England)*, Jennifer Donovan (Ireland), Roddy Dunlop KC (Scotland), Mike Hamlin (England)*, Brenda Heather-Latu (Samoa), Nigel Hampton KC (New Zealand)*, Shao-Ing Wang (Singapore)*, and Rhian Williams (Wales)

Judicial Panel Members

• Donal Courtney (Ireland, former international referee)*
• Jamie Corsi (Wales, former player)
• Becky Essex (England, played at Rugby World Cup 2010 and 2014)
• Frank Hadden (Scotland, head coach at Rugby World Cup 2007)*
• Olly Kohn (former Wales international)*
• John Langford (former Australia international)*
• Leon Lloyd (former England international)*
• Mike Mika (New Zealand, played at Rugby World Cup 1995 and 1999 for Samoa)
• Juan Pablo Spirandelli (Argentina, former international referee)
• Stefan Terblanche (South Africa, played at Rugby World Cup 1999 and 2003)*
• Valeriu Toma (Romania, former international assistant referee)*
• Aiolupotea Tonu’u Ofisa Junior Tonu’u (New Zealand, former Samoa dual international rugby and cricket and former New Zealand international)

*previous Rugby World Cup experience 

Rugby World Cup News 2023

• Match Officials for Rugby World Cup 2023 Announced.
• Capgemini Women in Rugby Leadership Programme 2023.
• Pedal To Paris – Race To Rugby World Cup 2023.
• Refereeing Rugby At The Highest Level.