England vs France referee becomes first female to take charge of England men's game
Rugby NewsFriday, 20 June 2025 at 10:26
Hollie Davidson is set to smash another glass ceiling this weekend — becoming the first female referee to take charge of an England men's match at Twickenham Stadium.
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Davidson will be the woman with the whistle as an England XV face off against France on Saturday at the home of English rugby. It’s a landmark moment in a career packed with firsts.
Just last month, Davidson made headlines as the first woman to officiate an EPCR Final, taking the reins for the Challenge Cup showdown between Bath and Lyon. That also made her the first Scottish ref in a European final since Jim Fleming oversaw the 1998 Heineken Cup.
Her rise has been anything but accidental. A former scrum-half, Davidson turned to officiating after a shoulder injury cut her playing career short. She joined the SRU refereeing pathway in 2015 and by 2017, became Scotland’s first full-time professional female referee. The milestones have kept coming ever since — from refereeing at the iconic Melrose Sevens to breaking into men’s pro rugby.
Speaking about her Six Nations journey, Davidson said:
“This year I refereed in the Six Nations for the second time. The level of scrutiny is intense — your standards have to be sky-high. Last year I was nervous; this year, I was buzzing for it. That shows how far I’ve come.”
Behind every great ref is a strong team — and Davidson is quick to credit hers. With the likes of Mike Adamson and support from Andy Macpherson and JP Doyle, she’s part of a rising force in Scottish officiating.
“Me and Mike have been on this journey together — so to share these moments is really special. I think soon enough, he’ll be one of the top TMOs in the world.”
Her efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. In February 2025, Davidson was awarded a Scottish Rugby referee cap in recognition of her decade-long dedication to the game.
“I'm a proud Scot. I never thought I’d achieve what I have, and that cap feels like recognition for everything that’s gone into it.”
From injury setback to rugby history-maker — Hollie Davidson isn’t just changing the game, she’s redefining who gets to lead it.
Keep your eye on…
Manny’s return. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso has lit up the international stage since making his debut against Italy in 2024, but a shoulder injury ruled him out of this year’s Six Nations. Should he be picked on the wing, the pacy and powerful Exeter Chiefs man will be a player to look out for.
Ford’s form. George Ford has excelled in the Gallagher Premiership this season, helping Sale Sharks reach the play-offs and being shortlisted for player of the season at The Rugby Awards. He didn’t play a part for the first four games of the Six Nations, but against Wales demonstrated his class with two pinpoint passes.
Guy Pepper's progression. Fresh from winning the Gallagher Premiership with Bath, 22-year-old flanker Pepper will make his first senior international appearance against France XV. The highly-rated back row was named player of the match in the Premiership final win over Leicester Tigers and has a big future ahead of him.
Potential for points. England XV have previously played the Barbarians on three occasions, with the combined scores totalling 275 points. Given the weather forecast, it’s likely that we see a similarly high-scoring, entertaining game on Saturday.
Previous England XV results
2022: England XV 21-52 Barbarians
2019: England XV 51-43 Barbarians
2018: England XV 45-63 Barbarians
Full list of referee's for the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour:
Fri 20 June 2025
The Lions vs Argentina referee (Dublin)
Referee: James Doleman (NZ)
ARs: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) & Andrea Piardi (Ita)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
FPRO: Matteo Liperini (Ita)
The Lions vs Argentina referee (Dublin)
Referee: James Doleman (NZ)
ARs: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) & Andrea Piardi (Ita)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
FPRO: Matteo Liperini (Ita)
Sat 28 Jun 2025
Western Force v B&I Lions (Perth)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
ARs: Paul Williams (NZ) & James Doleman (NZ)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)
FPRO: Glenn Newman (NZ)
Western Force v B&I Lions (Perth)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
ARs: Paul Williams (NZ) & James Doleman (NZ)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)
FPRO: Glenn Newman (NZ)
Wed 2 July 2025
Queensland Reds v B&I Lions (Brisbane)
Referee: James Doleman (NZ)
ARs: Paul Williams (NZ) & Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
TMO: Glenn Newman (NZ)
FPRO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)
Queensland Reds v B&I Lions (Brisbane)
Referee: James Doleman (NZ)
ARs: Paul Williams (NZ) & Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
TMO: Glenn Newman (NZ)
FPRO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)
Sat 5 July 2025
NSW Waratahs v B&I Lions (Sydney)
Referee: Paul Williams (NZ)
ARs: James Doleman (NZ) & Angus Mabey (NZ)
TMO: Richard Kelly (NZ)
FPRO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)
NSW Waratahs v B&I Lions (Sydney)
Referee: Paul Williams (NZ)
ARs: James Doleman (NZ) & Angus Mabey (NZ)
TMO: Richard Kelly (NZ)
FPRO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)
Wed 9 July 2025
ACT Brumbies v B&I Lions (Canberra)
Referee: Pierre Brousset (Fra)
ARs: Paul Williams (NZ) & Nika Amashukeli (GEO)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)
FPRO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
ACT Brumbies v B&I Lions (Canberra)
Referee: Pierre Brousset (Fra)
ARs: Paul Williams (NZ) & Nika Amashukeli (GEO)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)
FPRO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
Sat 12 July 2025
Invitational AUS&NZL v B&I Lions (Adelaide)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Ita)
ARs: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) & Pierre Brousset (Fra)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
FPRO: Marius Jonker (SA)
Invitational AUS&NZL v B&I Lions (Adelaide)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Ita)
ARs: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) & Pierre Brousset (Fra)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
FPRO: Marius Jonker (SA)
Sat 19 July 2025 – Test Match 1
Australia v The B&I Lions (Brisbane)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
ARs: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) & Andrea Piardi (Ita)
TMO: Richard Kelly (NZ)
FPRO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
ARs: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) & Andrea Piardi (Ita)
TMO: Richard Kelly (NZ)
FPRO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
Tues 22 July 2025
First Nations & Pasifika XV v B&I Lions (Melbourne)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Geo)
ARs: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ) & Andrea Piardi (Ita)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SA)
FPRO: Richard Kelly (NZ)
First Nations & Pasifika XV v B&I Lions (Melbourne)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Geo)
ARs: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ) & Andrea Piardi (Ita)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SA)
FPRO: Richard Kelly (NZ)
Sat 26 July 2025 – Test Match 2
Australia v The B&I Lions (Melbourne)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Ita)
ARs: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) & Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
FPRO: Marius Jonker (SA)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Ita)
ARs: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) & Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
FPRO: Marius Jonker (SA)
Sat 2 Aug 2025 – Test Match 3
Australia v The B&I Lions (Sydney)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Geo)
ARs: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ) & Andrea Piardi (Ita)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SA)
FPRO: Richard Kelly (NZ)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Geo)
ARs: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ) & Andrea Piardi (Ita)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SA)
FPRO: Richard Kelly (NZ)
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