HOLLIE DAVIDSON will make history – again – this summer, when she becomes the first woman to take charge of a rugby Test match involving men’s world champions South Africa, against 2023 World Cup surprise package Portugal in Bloemfontein on 20th July.
The Scottish referee became the first female member of an officiating team for a men’s Six Nations match when England beat Wales at Twickenham in February. She has previously taken charge of a men’s international Test when she was in the middle for Portugal versus Italy in 2022.
Fellow Scot Mike Adamson will be one of Davidson’s assistant referees in the South Africa versus Portugal game, with Andrew McMenemy as TMO.
Fellow Scot Mike Adamson will be one of Davidson’s assistant referees in the South Africa versus Portugal game, with Andrew McMenemy as TMO.
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Davidson will also referee Canada’s clash with Romania which takes place on the weekend prior to the Springboks game (12th July), and Japan’s match against the United States in the Pacific Nations Cup in Japan on September 7th, with fellow Scot Sam Grove-White as an assistant. The pair will be part of the match officials team for that competition’s semi-final fixtures on 14th and 15th September.
Adamson will also be an assistant referee to Australian Angus Gardner for the South Africa versus Ireland in Pretoria on 6th July.
Meanwhile, Ru Campbell, another Scottish referee, will take charge of matches during the World Rugby U20 Trophy, which will take place at Hive Stadium in Edinburgh this July.
Finally, the match officials for Scotland’s summer tour two the Americas have also been confirmed.
- Canada v Scotland on Saturday 6th JulyReferee: Adam Leal (RFU)
- Assistant Referee 1: Jordan Way (RA)
- Assistant Referee 2: Kahlil Harrison (USAR)
- TMO: Austin Reed (USAR)
- USA v Scotland on Friday 12th July Referee: Jordan Way (RA)
- Assistant Referee 1: Adam Leal (RFU)
- Assistant Referee 2: Robin Kaluzniak (RC)
- TMO: Chris Assmus (RC)
- Chile v Scotland on Saturday 20th JulyReferee: Mathieu Raynal (FFR)
- Assistant Referee 1: Andrew Brace (IRFU)
- Assistant Referee 2: Gonzalo De Achaval (UAR)
- TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)
- Uruguay v Scotland on Saturday 27th JulyReferee: Damian Schneider (UAR)
- Assistant Referee 1: Mathieu Raynal (FFR)
- Assistant Referee 2: Luc Ramos (FFR)
- TMO: Olly Hodges (IRFU)
- Meanwhile, Glasgow Warriors have agreed to allow Enrique Pieretto to depart the club on loan with immediate effect, allowing the Argentinian to take up an opportunity overseas with a club which has not yet been identified. The 29-year-old Argentinean departs following four seasons at Scotstoun, having initially joined the club in the summer of 2020 after a short spell with Exeter Chiefs in the English Premiership.
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Surprised about Pieretto. Been a fairly solid citizen for Glasgow. That said, I know we’ve signed a new th prop for next year, so maybe that’s why. Hopefully this means that Fagerson isn’t going anywhere.
Hollie, as a South African girl passionate about rugby, I got goosebumps reading in our local media about your appointment to referee our beloved Springboks. Watched you referee before and what a pleasure. There are many first class refs out there and you are one of them.
Adam Leal is NOT IRFU, he is RFU. I believe the mistake was spotted on the official World Rugby release then changed.