Sara Cox announces international retirement with immediate effect

England’s Sara Cox has today called time on a stellar international career, announcing her retirement from refereeing on the international stage.

Making her international debut back in 2014, Cox became the world’s first professional female referee in 2016 and is the only female referee to take charge of 50 tests. She was awarded an MBE for services to rugby in 2023.

Cox’s achievements on the international stage includes 11 Women’s Six Nations from 2015-2025, three Women’s Rugby World Cups– 2017, 2021 and 2025, two Olympic Games (including the women’s gold medal match at Tokyo 2020), as well as one Commonwealth Games and one Rugby World Cup Sevens.

She has also played a leading role in numerous laws and Shape of the Game forums, advancing the sport on and off the field.

The 35-year-old became the first female referee to take charge of 50 tests with Japan’s victory over Spain in York during Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 last September.

That saw her become only the 16th official in history to reach the half century with her last match in the middle being the World Cup 2025 quarter-final between New Zealand and South Africa in her hometown of Exeter.

Cox said: “I feel very privileged to have officiated at the highest level of the global game for over a decade. Rugby has given me amazing experiences but after the high of a home World Cup, now feels like the right time to hang up my international boots and spend some time on other interests while continuing to give my all to the club game.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has supported my career, I wouldn’t be where I am without the amazing team around me and a group of fantastic colleagues both in England and when travelling around the world.

“But most of all I’d like to thank my friends and family – particularly my mum who has always been my biggest supporter. Being able to referee a game in Exeter, my hometown, during this summer’s World Cup was a moment of real pride and amazing to do so in front of people who’ve championed me in my career but not always been able to travel to the far-flung places I’ve worked.

“I look forward to continuing to referee in our domestic leagues and hopefully continuing to encourage other women to see match officiating as a role for them.”

World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson added: “On behalf of World Rugby, I would like to congratulate Sara on a stellar career. Sara is one of the great international referees – a pioneer, who has done it all.

“Beyond the incredible achievements on the international stage, Sara will always be the inspirational trailblazer, who paved the way for a new generation of men and women to take up the whistle. Thank you for the memories and your enormous contribution to our great game. We wish you all the best as a new chapter begins.”