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Referee Hollie Davidson to make history in RWC 2025 final
Hollie Davidson will become the first referee to take charge of two Women’s Rugby World Cup finals when she takes the pitch at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on Saturday.
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Scottish official Davidson, who refereed New Zealand’s 34-31 victory against England in Auckland three years ago, will take the whistle when the Red Roses face Canada in front of 82,000 fans.
In doing so she will emulate Andre Watson, who refereed two men’s World Cup finals, in 1999 and 2003, and Ed Morrison (men’s RWC 1995 and women’s RWC 1999), and become the first official to do so in the women’s showpiece match.
Saturday will be Davidson’s 46th Test as a referee and is also the third women’s World Cup final in which she has been involved, having been an assistant in Belfast in 2017. She was already the only female to referee World Cup finals in sevens and 15s, doing so just 62 days apart in 2022.
The Emirates Match Official appointments for the final are Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa) and Clara Munarini (Italy) as assistant referees with Leo Colgan (Ireland) the Television Match Official (TMO) and Matteo Liperini (Italy) the Foul Play Review Officer (FPRO).
Australia’s Ella Goldsmith, officiating at her first World Cup, will take charge of the bronze final between New Zealand and France.
The 27-year-old will be the first Australian to be involved in a women’s medal match since Amy Perrett refereed the 2014 final.
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She will be supported by Kat Roche (USA) and Sara Cox (England) as assistant referees, Quinton Immelman (South Africa) as TMO and Ian Tempest (England) as FPRO.
World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson said: “On behalf of World Rugby, congratulations to Hollie on her selection for as the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 final referee. To take charge of two Rugby World Cup finals is an incredible achievement and reflection of a match official who is at the top of her game. We wish her well, along with bronze final referee Ella Goldsmith, and all the assistant referees, TMOs and FPROs, who will be playing their part in making history at a full Allianz Stadium.”
Chair of the Emirates World Rugby Match Officials Selectors, Su Carty added: “Congratulations firstly to Hollie on the incredible achievement of refereeing her second Women’s Rugby World Cup final and to Ella for her appointment to the bronze final, a testament to how she has progressed and performed in the tournament. They have both earned their place on merit, courtesy of their consistently high level of performance at this tournament.
“Officiating is a true team effort, and the whole group of match officials are right behind the those selected for both matches. It is testament to the talent and drive that we have across the team that selection meetings are always tough. Go well everyone!”
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World Rugby Women’s High-Performance Referee Manager Alhambra Nievas said: “Rugby World Cups are the pinnacle in our sport, and to referee two finals is an outstanding achievement, that should not be underestimated. Hollie is a top referee, a trailblazer, and a role model, setting a standard to which the match officials’ group aspires to. I hope that all those selected cherish what will be a very special Finals Day.”
