In total, 15 Member Unions are represented among the panel of referees for the 10-leg Series while two - New Zealand's James McPhail and South African Rasta Rasivhenge - will officiate at all 10 tournaments.

McPhail and Rasivhenge are seasoned campaigners at this level, while other referees to return from the last Series will be Alexandre Ruiz (France), Anthony Moyes (Australia), Matt O'Brien (Australia), Tui Komiti (Samoa), James Bolabiu (Fiji) and Federico Anselmi (Argentina).

This season also sees the return of two highly experienced international Sevens referees in the shape of Taizo Hirabayashi from Japan and Irishman David Keane, who come back into the squad.

There are also a number of newcomers to the Series as Ian Tempest (England), Kevin White (Scotland), Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa), Andrea Spadoni (Italy), Michael Kelly (USA), Bryan Arciero (Canada) and Rhys Thomas (Wales) prepare to join the squad.

Click here for the full list of appointments for the Series.

Selection for the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Moscow will be made on merit at the conclusion of the HSBC Sevens World Series.

Chairman of the IRB Referee Selection Committee John Jeffrey said: "This is an exciting time for those referees selected for the Series. Sevens is experiencing unprecedented growth as we prepare for its inclusion in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

"With that come plenty of opportunities for players, coaches and, of course, match officials to perform at a high level."

Rugby Sevens continues to grow at pace with more nations taking up the sport following Olympic inclusion. The IRB and its member Unions are committed to ensuring excellence across all match officials and enabling referees to perform under increasing scrutiny and physical pressure.

As part of that commitment, following seven successful years as IRB Referee Manager Paddy O'Brien has taken up a role developing the latest crop of Sevens referees with next year's RWC Sevens and the 2016 Olympic Games in mind.

"It is a huge boost for Rugby Sevens to have someone of Paddy's experience and expertise at the helm as we seek to push the quality and consistency of refereeing to new heights," said Jeffrey.

"Under Paddy's guidance, this is a great chance for those selected for the Series to take Sevens refereeing to a new level and stake a claim for the place at Rio in four years' time."

2012/13 HSBC SEVENS WORLD SERIES:

Round 1

Australia (Gold Coast)

Oct 13-14, 2012

Round 2

Argentina (La Plata)

Oct 20-21, 2012

Round 3

Dubai

Nov 30 - Dec 1, 2012

Round 4

South Africa (Port Elizabeth)

Dec 7-8, 2012

Round 5

New Zealand (Wellington)

Feb 1-2, 2013

Round 6

USA (Las Vegas)

Feb 8-10, 2013

Round 7

Hong Kong

Mar 22-24, 2013

Round 8

Japan (Tokyo)

Mar 30-31, 2013

Round 9

Scotland (Glasgow)

May 4-5, 2013

Round 10

England (London)

May 11-12, 2013

* 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens, June 28-30, 2013 - Moscow, Russia

Related Links -

Keane On Sevens? It's As Easy As 1-2-3

Interested In Becoming An IRFU Referee?