Hollie Davidson stood down from Six Nations action once again
Rugby NewsFriday, 06 March 2026 at 19:49
As Round Four of the Guinness Six Nations gets underway this weekend, many fans have again been asking the same question: where is Hollie Davidson?
Watch the Guinness Six Nations at your local Greene King sports pub.
The Scottish referee made history earlier in this year’s championship when she took charge of Ireland v Italy in Dublin, becoming the first woman to referee a men’s Six Nations match.
It was a landmark moment for the sport, and Davidson handled the occasion with composure in front of a packed Aviva Stadium.
From the outset she showed confidence in key decisions, including issuing a first-half sin-bin for a deliberate knock-on, and communicated clearly with players throughout a tense and closely contested encounter.
As with any Test match, there were a few debated breakdown calls, but her overall game management, authority and calmness under pressure were widely praised across the rugby world.
However, her absence from this weekend’s fixtures should not come as a surprise.
Six Nations match official appointments are decided well before the tournament begins, with referees and assistant referees allocated to specific rounds as part of the competition’s planning process.
Davidson was not scheduled to referee in Round Four, with her appearances already set before the championship kicked off.
She will, however, return on Super Saturday, where she is set to run the line as assistant referee for France v England— another high-profile appointment in what has already been a landmark Six Nations campaign for the Scottish official.
Six Nations Round Four Appointments:
Ireland v Wales
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Date: Friday, 6 March 2026
Date: Friday, 6 March 2026
- Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU)
- Assistant Referee 1: Nika Amashukeli (GRU)
- Assistant Referee 2: Damian Schneider (UAR)
- TMO: Andrew Jackson (RFU)
- FPRO: Tual Trainini (FFR)
Scotland v France
Venue: Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Date: Saturday, 7 March 2026
Date: Saturday, 7 March 2026
- Referee: Angus Gardner (RA)
- Assistant Referee 1: Andrew Brace (IRFU)
- Assistant Referee 2: Craig Evans (WRU)
- TMO: Brett Cronan (RA)
- FPRO: Olly Hodges (IRFU)
Italy v England
Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Date: Saturday, 7 March 2026
Date: Saturday, 7 March 2026
- Referee: Luc Ramos (FFR)
- Assistant Referee 1: Pierre Brousset (FFR)
- Assistant Referee 2: Sam Grove-White (SRU)
- TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
- FPRO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
Hollie Davidson: 10 Facts About the Former Banker Who Made Six Nations History
Here are 10 things you might not know about the trailblazing Scottish official Hollie Davidson.
Hollie Davidson facts:
1. She Made Six Nations History
In 2024, Davidson became the first woman to referee a men’s Six Nations match — one of rugby union’s most prestigious tournaments, featuring England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales. It was a watershed moment not just for her career, but for the sport itself.
2. She Didn’t Start Out as a Referee
Davidson originally played rugby growing up in Scotland and at university level. Like many elite officials, she transitioned into refereeing after her playing career — discovering a talent for leadership and game management.
3. She Worked in Banking Before Rugby
Before becoming a full-time referee, Davidson worked in banking after studying economic history at the University of Edinburgh. She previously held a role with J.P. Morgan before committing fully to officiating.
4. She Became Scotland’s First Full-Time Female Pro Referee
In 2017, she made history by becoming Scotland’s first full-time professional female referee — a major milestone in Scottish Rugby’s development pathway.
5. She Officiated at the Rugby World Cup
Davidson was selected as an assistant referee at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, rugby’s biggest global stage. Selection reflects the high regard in which she is held by the sport’s governing body.
6. She Starred at the Women’s Rugby World Cup
Prior to her men’s Six Nations breakthrough, Davidson had already refereed major matches at the Women’s Rugby World Cup, further proving her credentials at the highest level.
7. She’s Part of an Elite Global Referee Panel
Davidson works within World Rugby’s high-performance referee program, undergoing extensive law exams, match reviews, and fitness testing to maintain elite standards.
8. She Has Officiated Top Club Rugby
Beyond international tournaments, Davidson has refereed in the United Rugby Championship, one of Europe’s premier professional competitions. Her appointments in top-tier men’s club rugby paved the way for her Six Nations breakthrough.
9. Fitness Is Key to Her Success
Modern referees cover significant distances during matches — often comparable to players. Davidson trains year-round to maintain the pace, positioning, and sharp decision-making required at elite level.
10. She’s Inspiring the Next Generation
Davidson’s appointment sent a powerful message to aspiring officials around the world: elite refereeing is about performance and ability. Her rise through the ranks demonstrates that barriers in sport can be challenged — and changed.
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