RateTheRef

https://www.world.rugby/the-game/high-performance/officiating/661533

Some excellent and varied appointments as the rugby world work towards the next World Cup.

More comment once I have worked through them all

Agreed, some fascinating appointments!
Here's my take on things. If we go with the 12/7/4 as in previous years then I would expect to see the following in France that are pretty much certainties as referees:
1. Barnes (cements himself as still the no1 referee in the world IMHO).
2. Berry
3. Brace
4. Gardner
5. O Keefe
6. Pearce
7. Peyper
8. Poite
9. Raynal
10. Williams
I'm 80% sure we will also see 1 of either Carley or Dickson there as well.  I just can't see 4 English referees at the tournament so, 1 of those 2 will either miss out or move to an AR role. Meaning that there is certainly 1 place up for grabs and possibly 2 (may have a surprise between now and the next WC). Judging by recent appointments and this set, from the NH, 2 people spring to mind with Adamson (what an appointment with Wales v Australia) & Murphy. I think they may well be pushing Adamson more at the moment.
In the SH, the 3 that stick out are Doleman, Pickerill & Jacobs. It may be too early for Jacobs and I have a feeling we may just see 3 NZ referees on the panel with the edge possibly going IMHO to Doleman.
So my picks would be 11 Carley & 12 Doleman (but this is really tight).
I think that there is a huge pool to choose from in the AR panel and really hard to narrow down to the 7. But, as it stands, I would go for the following:
1. Amashukeli (Great set of appointments for him in this window)
2. Brousset
3. Evans
4. Jacobs
5. Murphy (Aus)
6. Dickson or Ridley
7. Really open and up for anyone from potentially Doleman (if not picked as ref), Pickerill, Grove-White, Busby, Piardi, Murphy (Ire).
With TMO's it's so difficult right now but again, I think we may be moving away from specific function.
1. Jonker
2. Gauzins
3. Pickerill - been used a lot in this role and I think this is where WR see him.
4. Anyone's guess - Again judging by appointments recently then we may see Foley, Whitehouse MacNeice or Neville.
Just some other points:
- Neville (or any female) not used in this set of appointments which is interesting (Maybe due to women's internationals too.
- Ridley is the clear next English representative. Really not sure what Maxwell-Keys has done, but he's just not getting a look-in under Jutge.
- Raynal now the clear French no1.
- Gardner has been injured true, but so has Poite. Why the need for 3 appointments is unclear and I would like to have seen someone else with the Romania v Uruguay fixture.
- Still not convinced yet with Adamson, WR seem to like him and see him for bigger things.
I think we will see the SH refs featuring more in the latter stages of the next WC.
Overall WR have got the balance right and a very exciting set of fixtures ahead. Can't wait!!

Yep I think we may well see Adamson & 1 English ref out of Dickson/Carley get the nod judging by the appointments meaning a 7/5 split for the NH as we have seen in recent editions. And factor in it's in France so, maybe Doleman dropped for AR duties.
I really don't think the WR will change their approach too much with 40 pool games most will get 3 group appointments and the younger less experienced officials with 4.
Generally, the opening match referee has received 4 appointments in the group stages and is usually from the same country that officiated the final the previous tournament. So, it will be interesting to see who gets the nod in 2023 given that Garces did the final and France v NZ is the first match. My bet would be Gardner or Pearce/Barnes!

Carley and Pearce with middles/touch judge appointments

barnes with an all English team but no game after France/New Zealand

Dickson hopefully will do enough for selection for next years wc in France same for Carley and Pearce hopefully an English t.m.o for the French World Cup as well

any thoughts?

barnes Pearce and Carley as refs for World Cup with Dickson as t.m.o? or take foley as he's done a few t.m.o games in the prem alongside barnes?

barnes Pearce and Dickson with foley as t.m.o

do we think Craig evans will go as well?

Once again Alfie I agree with virtually everything you have written.
Ita v NZ 2nd XV was a poor game and yes, delay the whistle and Italy would have had a try. Thought any ref would have struggled to look good.
Tonga ran out of steam and consequently gave away more and more penalties but Evans maintained his level and consistency, hopefully a 6N debut on the cards.
Williams was fine, like his relaxed, conversational style.
O'Keefe was very good, strong, decisive and clear. Was impressed, as I have been in the past.

so with the World Cup next year barnes is a definite plus 2/3 other British representatives with a English t.m.o?