Hollie Davidson will make history on Saturday, February 14, 2026, when she referees the Six Nations match between Ireland and Italy at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium. The 33-year-traditional Scottish referee will be the first woman to take charge of a men’s game in the championship’s history.
Davidson’s appointment marks a significant milestone in her career, which began with taking up refereeing in 2015 after a shoulder injury ended her prospects as a player for Scotland. She has since rapidly ascended through the ranks, officiating at the 2017 Women’s World Cup as an assistant referee and taking the whistle for her first Test match in 2018.
The referee has already overseen two Rugby World Cup finals, including England’s victory over Canada at Twickenham last September, and the 2022 tournament decider in Auckland. This accomplishment places her alongside Andre Watson, the only other match official to referee back-to-back Rugby World Cup finals, with Watson overseeing the men’s title deciders in 1999 and 2003.
Davidson previously led the first all-female team of match officials for a men’s Test in a 2022 fixture between Portugal and Italy, and last year oversaw Bath’s Challenge Cup final win over Lyon. She has faced challenges throughout her career, including verbal abuse and questioning of her physical ability to manage a men’s game. “At the beginning,” Davidson said, “the big thing was, always, physically can she do it? Will she be able to maintain up with the men’s game?”
Despite past instances of sexism, Davidson believes the focus is now shifting towards the quality of officiating. “That sexism is still there at points, but people now just want to see a game being well refereed,” she stated. She as well recounted instances of disturbing threats made towards her after games.
For the upcoming match, Davidson will be supported by Matthew Carley (England) and Luc Ramos (France) as assistant referees, with Ian Tempest (England) serving as the Television Match Official (TMO) and Tual Trainini of France as the Foul Play Review Officer (FPRO).
