Fresh from becoming only the second match official to referee two World Cup Finals, Hollie Davidson is once again smashing through the glass ceiling of world rugby. When the All Blacks visit Wales in November, Hollie will become the first female match official to referee the All Blacks.
Since her days training for Scotland as a player were cut short by injury, Hollie quickly progressed as a match official and is now seen by many as one of the best referees in both the men’s and women’s games.
A firm fan favourite, other notable highlights include receiving her official refereeing cap from the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) in February 2025, the second Scottish referee and first female to receive it. Later in the year, she received the World Rugby Referee Award shortly ahead of the World Cup Final.
As well as award-winning performances on the field, her achievements have seen her take charge of an EPCR Final (the first female to do so). She has refereed the Springboks, led the first all-female team to officiate a Six Nations match, and has refereed some high-profile Sevens games. Not bad for the age of 33. She has her sights well and truly set on the next Men’s World Cup.
Over the coming weeks, SNN will look at the impact referees can have all the way from the community game to inspiring younger generations, building up to Hollie’s match in November.
