World Rugby has announced 26 officials who will be in charge of hosting the Rugby World Cup in France this September. The list is topped by England’s Wayne Barnes, who is set to play his fifth RWC match since first participating in the 2007 global tournament.

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Barnes is one of four English referees, Matthew Carley, Carl Dixon and Luke Pierce are also selected, Christoph Ridley is appointed assistant and Tom Foley is one of six televised match officials. New Zealand (Paul Williams and Ben O’Keeffe) and Australia (Nick Berry and Angus Gardner) also have a few referees.

The imposing Georgian Nika Amashukeli is the only referee from a non-Tier 1 country, and Joy Neville will be the first woman to referee the men’s Rugby World Cup.

Match Officials Selection Committee Chairman Graeme Mouri said: I would like to congratulate the 26 match officials selected for the France Rugby World Cup 2023. Like the players, they earned their place through their merit and worked incredibly hard, making many sacrifices to fight for selection.

“I would like to officially thank them and those who just missed it. It says a lot about this band that, like any great team, they all supported each other along the way. These men and women not only represent their countries, they also represent the global refereeing fraternity and are truly everybody’s team, playing their full part in ensuring that the players can perform at their best in our top men’s tournament, and we must all support them. “

High-performance World Rugby 15s match official manager Joel Utge added: Traveling to the France Rugby World Cup is not an easy one for match officials. Fewer roles with the same public scrutiny, but I’m proud of how the team has responded to ups and downs, always being open and acting with integrity.

“Qualification is another milestone and we have a lot of work to do before the start of the tournament with warm-ups and the Rugby Championship. But this team has a great work ethic, unwavering spirit and strong bond and we will all benefit from more time together as we prepare for a very special France Rugby World Cup.”

France Rugby World Cup match officials

Referees: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia), Wayne Barnes (England), Nic Berry (Australia), Andrew Brace (Ireland), Matthew Carley (England), Karl Dickson (England), Angus Gardner (Australia), Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), Luke Pearce (England), Jaco Peyper (South Africa), Mathieu Raynal (France), Paul Williams (New Zealand).

Assistant referees: Chris Busby (Ireland), Pierre Brousset (France), James Doleman (New Zealand), Craig Evans (Wales), Andrea Piardi (Italy), Christophe Ridley (England), Jordan Way (Australia).

Television match officials: Brett Cronan (Australia), Tom Foley (England), Marius Jonker (South Africa), Brian MacNeice (Ireland), Joy Neville (Ireland), Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand), Ben Whitehouse (Wales).

Rugby World Cup: Paolo Odogwu and Dino Lamb named in 46-man Italy training squad

Italy head coach Kieran Crowley has announced the formation of a 46-man squad to prepare for the Rugby World Cup 2023, from which five unrestricted players have been selected, including Paolo Odogwu and Dino Lamb. The team will gather for training camp in Pergina Valsugana in Northern Italy ahead of the warm-up matches against Scotland, Ireland, Romania and Japan.

In 2021, Odogwu was called up to the England Six Nations squad but never made his Test debut. The former Wasp is back, now at Stade Francais, is eligible for the Azzurri through his father. Other unsheltered players on the team are Harlequin Lamb, Zebre supports Paolo Buonfiglio and Matteo Nocera, and Toulouse scrum half Martin Page-Relo.

Five players will compete for a spot on the final roster, which will be announced on September 3rd. Sergio Parisse has not been called up to another team and looks set to miss out on the opportunity to play in the sixth Rugby World Cup. Fellow rower Jack Polledry missed the team due to injury. To become Rugby World Cup 2023 eye witness you can buy France Vs Italy Tickets from our online platform.

After skipping the Six Nations, Epalahame Faiva, Federico Mori, Toa Halafhi and Ivan Nemer return to the squad. Nemer will only be available from July 1, when his ban comes to an end following his racist secret Santa gift to Benetton teammate Sheriff Traore.

Italy Rugby World Cup training squad

Forwards: Filippo Alongi, Paolo Buonfiglio, Pietro Ceccarelli, Simone Ferrari, Danilo Fischetti, Ivan Nemer, Matteo Nocera, Marco Riccioni, Federico Zani, Luca Bigi, Epalahame Faiva, Gianmarco Lucchesi, Marco Mandredi, Giacomo Nicotera, Niccolò Cannone, Edoardo Iachizzi, Dino Lamb, Federico Ruzza, David Sisi, Andrea Zambonin, Lorenzo Cannone, Riccardo Favretto, Toa Halafihi, Michele Lamaro (c), Sebastian Negri, Giovanni Pettinelli, Manuel Zuliani

Backs: Alessandro Fusco, Alessandro Garbisi, Martin Page-Relo, Stephen Varney, Tommaso Allan, Giacomo Da Re, Paolo Garbisi, Juan Ignacio Brex, Enrico Lucchin, Leonardo Marin, Tommaso Menoncello, Luca Morisi, Pierre Bruno, Ange Capuozzo, Simone Gesi, Monty Ioane, Federico Mori, Paolo Odogwu, Edoardo Padovani

2023 fixtures

July 29: Scotland vs Italy – Edinburgh
August 5: Ireland vs Italy – Dublin
August 19: Italy vs Romania – TBC
August 26: Italy vs Japan – TBC

RWC 2023

September 9: Italy vs Namibia – Saint-Etienne
September 20: Italy vs Uruguay – Nice
September 29: New Zealand vs Italy – Lyon
October 6: France vs Italy – Lyon

Italy legend on retirement, Challenge Cup final with Toulon and France Rugby World Cup acceptance

Ahead of an exciting weekend in European rugby, many are looking to Saturday’s final, where La Rochelle will face Leinster in a rematch of the 2022 fixture. However, while it may be an act of support in the score, there is a monumental event in the Challenge Cup when Sergio Parisse, one of rugby’s greatest jersey-donning artists, looks to walk away as champions when his Toulon team meets. Glasgow Warriors.

For many rugby fans, this is the end of an era – an era in which the high back row’s magnificent set of skills thrilled every spectator who had ever seen it. For many, he figures in debate as the greatest number eight in history and one of the most gifted talents rugby has ever seen, but whatever your opinion, there is no doubt that Parisse’s impending resignation will leave a void of pure entertainment and tactical unpredictability. , which may never again appear in this form in a modern game.

James Veal of Planet Rugby met with Paris from his home in Toulon to discuss the upcoming match and the Italian superstar’s longevity.

Retirement beckons

“I can’t believe I’m almost 40 and still in a state where I can enjoy the game, Pariss said. My goal this week is not to think too much about it, but I’m fully aware that I might have two more top 14 games after the final and then it’s all over – bang! My career is over.”

I want to enjoy it as much as possible – to remember these sights, sounds and smells of crowded Dublin and take them with me. You know, playing at the age of 39 in a European final is huge and I never expected my career to continue at this age.

I’m telling you, when you’re 19, you have dreams ahead of you, you have a job as a professional player, and you don’t even think about retiring. When you come in 32-33 years as a player. You start to think I’m almost at the end of my career, maybe you think I’ll get to 34 or 35 max and then stop, but getting 39 almost 40 is such a bonus. I am so glad that my body allowed me to do this and my motivation is solely to help Toulon, the club that still believed in me, to finish with a silver medal.

“I am so happy to be in this position and I am very proud of the path I have taken in the sport. I would not change much at all, said the Italian icon. There has already been a lot of word in the buildup about Toulon, but the challenge that Franco Smith’s Glasgow Warriors have thrown at us is absolutely significant.”

I know Franco well – he was with me as a player when I started at Benetton 22 years ago, and I know well what a great rugby mind he has. He’s a really smart guy and his attention to detail as a manager means Glasgow will be brilliantly prepared. His team was outstanding in the semi-finals against the Scarlets and showed just how strong the URC are but equally how well Franco prepares his teams.

“In any final, there is a lot of pressure on both teams, but of course the fact for us is that we have learned to just be ourselves. We know we have the power of our standard and our power play, but it’s absolutely critical that we manage where the energy is best used and really focus on maintaining our discipline, especially with the number of cards we’re seeing right now. in the modern game, Pariss explained.”

Our leadership is key in this regard and we are fortunate to have two Test captains, both world class players, in Charles Olivon and Dan Biggar, key and contrasting voices in our forwards and defensemen respectively. To become Rugby World Cup 2023 eye witness you can buy France Rugby World Cup Tickets from our online platform. If you get an extra World Cup Ticket you can also Sell RWC Tickets through our platform.

Dan has been amazing since joining us, a very loud and commanding voice on the playing field. He moved about 200 meters from my house here in Toulon and is now my neighbor so we see each other often. A testament to his professionalism and focus is that he already speaks French almost fluently, speaking the language better than some of the overseas players who have been here for four years.

He is very clear about what he needs from the players around him and he communicates exactly what the plan is, key considerations for a midfielder. You hear his voice all the time, and most importantly, there is so much passion in his playing and the way he moves us forward. Firstly, he forces us to play in the right areas of the field and manages the game brilliantly.

Charles is completely different in the way he talks. He has a huge presence on the field, a real athlete and one of the best wide players in the world. He’s such a great guy and he brings a lot of different types of leadership. You know, this is not the kind of guy who likes to talk a lot in order to make big speeches – he speaks quietly, but with great concentration and inspires a lot of trust in others.

He is a man who wants to always lead by example, a guy who is very physically dominant, the king of the lineout and is always around the tackle and the contact area. Personally, I like to play with him and with Cornell du Prez in the back line. I think we have a great balance of skills, and Cornell’s speed on the court and on the reinforcement line with Charles’ skills in defense, support management and set-piece gives me the opportunity to do different things at the end of the fight and express my feelings. Natural play, Pariss explained.

Motivations

Last month, Parisse lost his father, Sergio Sr., a former Italy international and a highly respected figure in the game. Although he has not previously commented on his tragic loss, Toulon No. 8 has now come to terms with his bereavement and acknowledges that his father was one of the most inspirational figures in his career. Rugby World Cup fans can buy Italy Rugby World Cup Tickets from our website.  

I don’t often talk about my personal life, but it’s absolutely true that he has been a huge support and inspiration to me. He will certainly be the focus of my attention on Friday night. In my entire 22-year professional career, he has never once complimented me, no matter how well I played! He said: Why are we talking about this pass or shot when you made so many mistakes?! He would point out slips here and there or where I was flipped, and I liked that it kept my honesty.

“First of all, he told me to never be mediocre – he said, be yourself, express yourself. Do not put up with mediocrity – try to go beyond your limits every time and try to be better every time, was his message to me. These are words that I will remember when I play on Friday and if I finish with the trophy, I certainly know that my father will look at me with pride.”

The Italian Job

Given that Parisse, oddly enough, looks unlikely to be part of Kieran Crowley’s Italian plans for the Rugby World Cup 2023, given his form and fitness, many might think that he would be playing to remind the Azzurri coach of talent. which he could show in the last dance at the Rugby World Cup. international scene, but the former Italian skipper does not think so.

“Look, there is no message to send to Kieran, Pariss said. He knows that I have been available for the last two years, he knows what I can bring, and if it happens, it will happen. I have no control over what happens outside the field, and I don’t have to force things – I’m resigned to not having my name on the team list. I’m really grateful for the career I’ve made and if he thinks I’m not the kind of guy to be attracted to for whatever reason, then so be it.”

Many players would like to see Parisse in the blue jersey for the last time in what will be a record sixth Rugby World Cup. But for now, these dreams are nothing more than hopes. The focus should be Friday in the Challenge Cup final, a chance for the 39-year-old to prove himself as a champion and with some style.

“Basically, I feel like I can go in and play this final without any restrictions and without any distractions of thought. I’m sure there will be moments of emotion whether we win or lose, but one thing I know for sure is that I’m so proud of my journey and how I was able to share it with the amazing fans of this great sport. . It was just incredible, and I thank everyone for this, concluded Pariss.”

Whichever team you support, whether at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin or at home, watch TV, make the most of the last 80 minutes and raise your voices and your points when Sergio Parisse leaves the field because there is no doubt that that he left the field. number eight shirts in the world in a better place than where he found them almost a quarter of a century ago. Rugby has been blessed with 22 years of thrill and brilliance from a 142-capped No. 8, and there’s no doubt that the game will get much worse with the retirement of one of its best artists.

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