Hollie Davidson to make history in Australia match
Scotland’s Hollie Davidson will make her Rugby Championship debut as an assistant referee in a match involving Australia later this month.
She will be the first woman to hold the position in the competition.
The 31-year-old has been appointed to run the line for Australia’s clash with world champions South Africa in Brisbane on August 10 and again when the sides meet for the second time in Perth a week later.
Davidson, who claimed another first when she was part of the on-pitch officiating team in a men’s Six Nations fixture in February, took charge of the Springboks’ Test victory over Portugal in Bloemfontein last month.
A statement on World Rugby’s official website read: “Four assistant referees and four Television Match Officials will make their Rugby Championship debuts with Hollie Davidson (Scotland) to become the first woman to hold the role in the competition.”
Davidson’s appointment as one of 11 debutants comes as the game prepares for a 24-team World Cup in Australia in 2027.
Men’s World Rugby high performance match officials selectors chairman Brett Robinson said: “The new strategic plan that we have in place is designed to ensure that we promote and support greater depth in our team, and this selection is the embodiment of that plan in action.
“There are 11 debutants within the selection, which is exciting. For them, and us, this is a continuation of a journey where the goal lies beyond Rugby World Cup 2027.
“For others, this is about arriving in Australia in peak form. For all, we are here to help them achieve their goals, and that is very exciting.”
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