The match officials for the two clashes between England and France on Saturday in Toulouse have been confirmed with a neutral video referee being selected.
England Women play France Women in a 2 pm kick-off before the Men’s sides clash at 5 pm. The day will be rounded by the Championship clash between Toulouse Olympique and Featherstone Rovers as part of a bumper day of rugby league to support 90 years of the sport in France.
Shaun Wane will be naming his England squad this afternoon at 3 pm with plenty of surprise players expected to be picked after Wane’s affirmation that he will opt for youth with the long-term goal of developing a side for the 2026 World Cup.
Stuart Barrow had yesterday named the England Women’s squad with 17-year-old Isabel Rowe selected as part of the 19-strong squad for the game.
It has now been revealed which referees will take charge of that game and the Men’s game later in the day.
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Tom Grant handed England game with neutral video ref confirmed
Credit: Imago Images
The RFL confirmed earlier that Geoffrey Poumes of France and Tom Grant of England have been handed the two fixtures with Poumes set to officiate the Women’s game before Grant takes charge of the Men’s match.
Poumes is a Frenchman with plenty of experience and was on the international panel for the Rugby League World Cup in 2022. He will lead an all-French officiating team with Louis Moreau and Florian Gely serving as the touch judges, whilst Lucie Peyre has been selected as the reserve referee.
Australian James Vella, a familiar name to Super League fans, will be the video referee for that game and the Men’s game as well. For the Men’s game, he will support Tom Grant who takes charge as the referee.
Grant is a member of the RFL’s full-time panel of officials ad was also involved in the 2022 World Cup. He will be supported by two French touch judges – Stephane Vincent and Quentin Boissonade – with Enzo Peyre the reserve referee.
Enzo Peyre is actually the brother of Lucie, meaning both reserve referees hail from the same family in a unique twist.
Men’s Game
R: Tom Grant
TJ: Stephane Vincent
TJ: Quentin Boissonade
RR: Enzo Peyre
Video Referee: James Vella
Women’s Game
R: Geoffrey Poumes
TJ: Louis Moreau
TJ: Florian Gely
RR: Lucie Peyre
Video Referee: James Vella
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