England’s Wayne Barnes is set to make history when he takes charge of his 100th and 101st tests during the November international window.
Barnes, who made his debut in Fiji in June 2006, will become only the second referee to reach a century of tests behind friend Nigel Owens when he takes charge of Wales v New Zealand at the Principality Stadium on 5 November.
The Englishman will then set an outright record of 101 tests when he referees the match between Six Nations Grand Slam winners France and world champions South Africa in Paris a week later, on 12 November.
World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont led the tributes to Barnes: “Congratulations to Wayne on his selection and pending record. To be so good for so long as a referee is no easy feat. Wayne Barnes, like Nigel Owens before him, reaches 100 tests by being not just a fantastic referee, but a great team player, a student of the game and someone who is greatly respected by players, coaches and fans alike.”
In total, 23 match officials representing 10 nations will take charge of the 37 November tests announced so far.
WEEK ONE:
| Japan v New Zealand National Kasumigaoka Stadium, Tokyo Saturday, 29 October, 2022 | Referee: Nika Amashukeli (GRU) Assistant Referee 1: Jordan Way (RA) Assistant Referee 2: Graham Cooper (RA) TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU) |
| Scotland v Australia Murrayfield, Edinburgh Saturday, 29 October, 2022 | Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU) Assistant Referee 1: Karl Dickson (RFU) Assistant Referee 2: Christophe Ridley (RFU) TMO: Stuart Terheege (RFU) |