Match officials announced for Rugby World Cup 2019 semi-finals

Nigel Owens and Jérôme Garcès will take charge of the two semi-finals at RWC 2019.

TOKYO, 22 Oct - World Rugby has announced the match officials for the Rugby World Cup 2019 semi-finals at International Stadium Yokohama this weekend.

Nigel Owens (Wales) will take charge of England versus New Zealand on Saturday (17:00 JST) with Romain Poite and Pascal Gaüzère (both France) as assistant referees and Marius Jonker (South Africa) as TMO.

Jérôme Garcès (France) will referee Wales versus South Africa on Sunday (18:00 JST) with Wayne Barnes (England) and Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand) as assistant referees and Ben Skeen (New Zealand) as TMO.

The selection is based on merit after a review of performances by World Rugby’s match officials selection committee.

World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: "I would like to congratulate Nigel and Jérôme, the assistant referees and TMOs on their selection for the semi-finals.

"These are the best of the best, supported by a superb team, and we now look forward to compelling semi-finals at International Stadium Yokohama over the weekend."

View the full selection here >>

Meanwhile, World Rugby can confirm that the match officials selection committee did not consider Jaco Peyper for selection this weekend.

Peyper recognises that a picture of him with Wales fans, which appeared on social media after the Wales versus France quarter-final, was inappropriate and he has apologised.

RNS sw