Experienced South African referee Jaco Peyper is among the officials appointed for the 2022 Six Nations, which is set to kick off on 5 February.

World Rugby on Monday announced the match officials for the Six Nations.

While the global Covid-19 pandemic continues to challenge logistics, the governing body has been able to select from the widest available group since 2019, with almost all top match officials able to travel.

As a result, 13 referees representing eight unions will take charge of the championship’s 15 matches.

South Africa’s Peyper and New Zealand’s Ben O’Keeffe will officiate their first Championship matches since 2020 as travel restrictions ease.

Peyper and Scotland’s Mike Adamson are the only referees to have two matches each, with Peyper taking charge of the opening and final matches of the championship.

Georgia’s Nika Amashukeli is one of three Six Nations referee debutants, and the first Georgian to take charge of a championship game after refereeing Ireland vs Japan in November. Australia’s Damon Murphy and England’s Karl Dickson are the other Six Nations referee debutants.

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