World Rugby name officials for Rugby World Cup Pool stage

World Rugby has announced the list of match officials for the 40 pool stage games in the upcoming World Cup that kicks-off in Japan on 20th September.

Nigel Owens will be officiating in the opening game of the showpiece event between host Japan and Russia at Tokyo Stadium.

Luke Pearce, Mathieu Raynal, Ben O’Keeffe, Nic Berry and Angus Gardner will be making their debut in World Cup while Jaco Peyper will make his 50th appearance at Test level on 5th October when he officiates between Japan and Samoa provided he continues to feature in all the games he is assigned prior to the encounter.

The World Rugby Match Officials Committee comprising of Chairman Anthony Buchanan (Council member), Joel Jutge (EPCR), Lyndon Bray (SANZAAR), Nick Mallett (former international coach) and Alain Rolland (World Rugby) made the appointments.

The full list of match official appointments can be found here