Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Sport
Harry Latham-Coyle

South Africa vs Romania referee: Who is Rugby World Cup official Mathieu Raynal?

Getty Images

France’s Mathieu Raynal is one of the officials at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Born and raised in Perpignan, he started his refereeing career at the age of 20 and worked as a PE teacher before becoming a professional official.

His first test match appointment arrived in 2009, while his first major fixture was between Scotland and Tonga in Aberdeen in 2012.

Raynal endured a significant set back in March 2013 when he suffered a double leg fracture after getting caught between two players during a Top 14 match between Montpellier and Racing 92.

He was unable to referee for almost a year, resuming his career in February 2014.

Having travelled to the 2015 World Cup as an assistant, Rayanal was one of four French referees four years ago in Japan.

However, Pascal Gauzere, Romain Poite and Jerome Garces have since all retired, leaving Raynal as the sole referee representative for the hosts at this year’s tournament.

Which games is Mathieu Raynal refereeing at the 2023 Rugby World Cup?

England v Argentina – Pool D (9 September, Marseille)

Referee: Mathieu Raynal (Fra)

ARs: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ) & Pierre Brousset (Fra)

TMO: Marius Jonker (SA)

South Africa v Romania – Pool B (17 September, Bordeaux)

Referee: Mathieu Raynal (Fra)

ARs: Angus Gardner (Aus) & Pierre Brousset (Fra)

TMO: Brett Cronan (Aus)

Uruguay v Namibia – Pool A (27 September, Lyon)

Referee: Mathieu Raynal (Fra)

ARs: Nic Berry (Aus) & Chris Busby (Ire)

TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wal)

Wales v Georgia – Pool C (7 October, Nantes)

Referee: Mathieu Raynal (Fra)

ARs: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ) & Pierre Brousset (Fra)

TMO: Brendon Pickerill (NZ)

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.