Hollie Davidson Creates Six Nations Milestone as First Female Referee
Scottish match official Hollie Davidson is set to make rugby history this weekend when she takes charge of the men's Six Nations clash between Ireland and Italy in Dublin. The 33-year-old will oversee proceedings at the Aviva Stadium in round two, marking a groundbreaking appointment as the first female referee to officiate a men's game in the championship's history.
A Rapid Rise Through the Refereeing Ranks
Davidson's ascent to this prestigious role has been nothing short of remarkable. Having taken up refereeing in 2015 after a dislocated shoulder disrupted her playing career prospects with Scotland, she has quickly established herself as one of the sport's most respected officials. Her journey includes officiating two World Cup finals, most recently England's victory over Canada at a packed Twickenham last September, following her inaugural tournament decider appointment in Auckland in 2022.
This achievement places Davidson in elite company, joining South African Andre Watson as the only match officials to referee back-to-back Rugby World Cup finals. While Englishman Ed Morrison previously whistled both men's and women's World Cup finals in 1995 and 1998 respectively, Davidson's consecutive appointments underscore her exceptional standing in the game.
Pioneering Appointments Across Both Codes
Davidson has consistently broken new ground in both men's and women's rugby. Her first appointment to a men's professional match came in early 2021, followed by another historic moment when she led the first all-female team of match officials for a men's Test during Portugal versus Italy in 2022. Last year, she further demonstrated her capabilities by overseeing Bath's Challenge Cup final triumph over Lyon.
Her experience extends beyond these landmark fixtures, having served as an assistant referee at the 2017 Women's World Cup and taken charge of her first Test match little more than a year later. This comprehensive background across various levels of the sport has prepared her for this weekend's significant Six Nations assignment.
Support Team for Historic Fixture
For the Ireland versus Italy encounter, Davidson will be supported by an experienced team of fellow Test officials:
- Assistant Referees: Matthew Carley (England) and Luc Ramos (France)
- Television Match Official: Ian Tempest (England)
- Foul Play Review Officer: Tual Trainini (France)
This historic appointment represents not just a personal achievement for Davidson, but a significant step forward for gender equality in rugby officiating. As she prepares to take the field at the Aviva Stadium, all eyes will be on this pioneering official who continues to redefine what's possible in the world of rugby refereeing.
