PARIS: Welshman Nigel Owens headed a list of 12 referees to officiate at the World Cup in September and October, which was announced by World Rugby on Tuesday.

France lead the way with three referees while there are also two from England, New Zealand, South Africa and Ireland, and Owens from Wales.

Owens is the most experienced having officiated 60 tests in his career, followed by England's Wayne Barnes (57), South Africa's Craig Joubert (55) Frenchman Romain Poite (39) and Ireland's George Clancy (38).

The referees have officiated 361 tests between them.

World Rugby also announced seven touch judges and four television match officials (TMO).

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2015