Nigel Owens makes his feelings clear on Hollie Davidson

Rugby News

by Steven Smith

Saturday, 21 February 2026 at 07:24

bySteven Smith

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There was no shortage of talking points from round two of the Six Nations Championship.

Watch the Guinness Six Nations at your local Greene King sports pub.

From Scotland national rugby union team’s impressive victory over England national rugby union team at Murrayfield to the usual refereeing debates that follow every Test weekend, rugby fans had plenty to dissect.

But one of the biggest moments of the round belonged to match official Hollie Davidson, who made history as the first woman to referee a men’s Six Nations fixture.

And former World Cup final referee Nigel Owens has now made his feelings crystal clear on her landmark appointment.

‘A well deserved appointment’

Owens, who works with the URC and has monitored Davidson’s progress closely, insists the occasion was fully earned.

“A well deserved appointment too, there’s no doubt about that,” Owens wrote in his column for Wales Online.

“I work with the URC, so I’ve watched her referee the last few years, and done performance reviews on her.

“She’s really impressed me, and Saturday was a thoroughly deserved opportunity for her.”

‘It’s important to do it on merit’

In an era where inclusion and representation are rightly championed, Owens stressed that credibility must always come first.

“In the society we live in today, there may be a push for diversity and inclusion, a push to get people into the game that have maybe never been in it before,” he explained.

“I’ve always been a believer in all of that. But I also believe it’s important to do it on merit. Not just for the game, but for themselves as well.”

Owens drew on his own experience when he became the first openly gay referee to take charge of a Rugby World Cup final in 2015.

“If I was appointed to referee the World Cup final in 2015 because they were ticking the box because I was gay, then I would have not wanted it, and would have told them to give it to the person that should be having it,” he said.

“It would not have been the same feeling of achievement knowing I was appointed because it would mean I was the first openly gay man to referee a World Cup final rather than because I was deemed to be the best in the world.

“It takes away from your ability and the credibility that comes with that, you know.”

‘She hugely deserves that appointment’

Owens was adamant that Davidson’s selection was based purely on performance.

“So it’s hugely important that we ensure that everybody gets the opportunities, no matter what race, sexual identity, or gender they are.

“It doesn’t matter who they are. As long as they get the opportunities. And then when those opportunities come around, they are done so on merit and credit.

“Hollie was appointed to this game on merit and on credit because she hugely deserves that appointment, and she did a pretty good job overall.”

‘This could be just the beginning’

Owens believes Davidson’s rise is far from finished, pointing towards bigger tournaments on the horizon.

“It’s the first of hopefully many for her because she certainly is continuing to grow as a referee, and that’s why I think it’s been very, very well received throughout the rugby world and beyond.

“It was telling too that the Italian captain made reference to her performance, which I think goes to show the level of respect she commanded from both teams.

“This could be just the beginning for her. There’s obviously a Rugby World Cup in 2027 and hopefully she’ll be refereeing in that too and I don’t see why not if she continues with her growth of performances.

“That will be her challenge and her next goal. To stay at this level.”

2027 Rugby World Cup draw confirmed: England play Wales

Each of the six pools featured a team from Bands 1, 2, 3 and 4.

The confirmed Bands based on rankings were:

Band 1: South Africa, New Zealand, England, Ireland, France, Argentina
Band 2: Australia, Fiji, Scotland, Italy, Wales, Japan
Band 3: Georgia, Uruguay, Spain, USA, Chile, Tonga
Band 4: Samoa, Portugal, Romania, Hong Kong China, Zimbabwe, Canada

2027 Rugby World Cup draw:

Pool A

New Zealand – Perennial contenders with flair, power and unmatched rugby IQ.
Australia – Unpredictable but dangerous, capable of brilliance on their day.
Chile – Fast-improving newcomers bringing passion and fearless physicality.
Hong Kong China – Skillful, energetic, and eager to prove themselves on the global stage.

Pool B

South Africa – Brutal, relentless, and brutally efficient—never count them out.
Italy – Developing rapidly, mixing strong set-piece work with expanding ambition.
Georgia – Scrum specialists with raw forward strength and growing all-round polish.
Romania – Proud and powerful, known for toughness and unwavering fight.

Pool C

Argentina – Dynamic, crafty, and fiercely competitive with a never-say-die spirit.
Fiji – Magical offloads, searing pace, and unique unpredictability.
Spain – Determined climbers building consistency and confidence every year.
Canada – Physical and committed, working to regain their traditional sharpness.

Pool D

Ireland – Well-drilled, intelligent, and ruthlessly efficient across the park.
Scotland – Creative attackers with growing confidence and slick backline play.
Uruguay – Tenacious, organized, and fearless against bigger rugby nations.
Portugal – Exciting, fast-paced, and thriving with a young, fearless core.

Pool E

France – Electric, unpredictable, and capable of brilliance from anywhere.
Japan – High-tempo, disciplined, and tactically sharp—they never stop moving.
USA – Athletic and physical, with a growing pool of exciting talent.
Samoa – Bone-shaking tackles, powerful runners, and trademark island flair.

Pool F

England – Structured, strategic, and capable of grinding down any opponent.
Wales – Proud, passionate, and dangerous when the momentum swings their way.
Tonga – Heavy hitters with explosive power and fearless intensity.
Zimbabwe – Energetic and ambitious, bringing speed and spirit to every contest.

ISUZU Shuffle Card Game

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Quiz: Name these 10 retro rugby players

From jaw-dropping tries to unforgettable moments (and yes, some questionable haircuts), these players defined a golden era of the game. If their names don’t instantly come to mind, we suggest a quick trip to YouTube to jog your memory. Trust us, it’s worth it.

Ready to test your knowledge? Let’s see if you’ve still got it. Good luck!