Hollie Davidson stood down with immediate effect, her Nations Championship is over

Friday, 17 July 2026 at 19:32

bySteven Smith

Hollie Davidson has been stood down from officiating duties with immediate effect as the Scottish referee begins a planned summer break following an extraordinary year of historic achievements.

Davidson’s final appointment before her break came last weekend when she refereed England’s 73-8 victory over Fiji at Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool.

The 33-year-old does not feature anywhere in the appointments for the final round of the Nations Championship or Nations Cup.

However, her absence can largely be explained by the unusual geography of this weekend’s fixtures.

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Why Hollie Davidson cannot referee this weekend

Davidson has remained in the United Kingdom throughout this summer’s Nations Championship, while many of the other officials have travelled between Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina and Japan.

The only Nations Championship fixture being staged in Britain this weekend is Scotland’s clash with Fiji at Murrayfield.

As a Scottish official, Davidson would not be considered for a Test involving Scotland because international referees are expected to be neutral.

That left no suitable UK-based appointment available for Davidson without requiring another long-distance journey at the end of an already demanding season.

She has therefore begun a planned summer break, with England referee Matthew Carley appointed to take charge of Scotland v Fiji.

An incredible year of achievements

Davidson’s break comes after one of the most significant periods of any match official’s career.

In February, she became the first woman to referee a men’s Six Nations fixture, taking charge of Ireland’s meeting with Italy at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

She had previously become the first female assistant referee in both the men’s Six Nations and Rugby Championship, while also becoming the first woman to referee at the World Rugby U20 Championship.

Davidson also made history in May 2025 when she became the first woman appointed to referee an EPCR final, overseeing Bath’s Challenge Cup final against Lyon.

Later that year, she became the first person to referee two Women’s Rugby World Cup finals, having previously taken charge of the 2021 final between England and New Zealand. She joined South Africa’s Andre Watson as the only officials to referee two Rugby World Cup finals.

Her performances were recognised when she received the World Rugby Referee Award for 2025, before she was also inducted into Scottish Rugby’s Hall of Fame.

Nations Championship – Round 3 appointments

Australia v Italy

Referee: Christophe Ridley (England)
Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England) and Morné Ferreira (South Africa)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
FPRO: Ian Tempest (England)

New Zealand v Ireland

Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)
Assistant referees: Luc Ramos (France) and Damon Murphy (Australia)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)
FPRO: Andrew Jackson (England)

South Africa v Wales

Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Pierre Brousset (France) and James Doleman (New Zealand)
TMO: Olly Hodges (Ireland)
FPRO: Richard Kelly (New Zealand)

Argentina v England

Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referees: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia) and Paul Williams (New Zealand)
TMO: Brett Cronan (Australia)
FPRO: Tual Trainini (France)

Japan v France

Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Andrea Piardi (Italy) and Luke Pearce (England)
TMO: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)
FPRO: Matteo Liperini (Italy)

Scotland v Fiji

Venue: Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
Assistant referees: Eoghan Cross (Ireland) and Anthony Woodthorpe (England)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)
FPRO: Leo Colgan (Ireland)

Ten Best rugby referees (Ranked)

Here is our ranking of the 10 best rugby referees in the world, counting down from 10 to 1.

10 Karl Dickson

A former Harlequins scrum-half, Dickson stepped into refereeing while still lacing up his boots. His rise through the English ranks was quick, leading to his first international appointment in 2020. His performances spark debate — some feel he occasionally lets matches slip — but his understanding of player behaviour and commitment to improving keep him respected among officials.

9 Mike Adamson

After finishing his playing career, Adamson chose refereeing over coaching, a decision that’s taken him from domestic competitions to the Rugby Championship. He’s calm, knowledgeable, and composed, though some question how he manages high-pressure moments.

As the first person to both play and referee in the Pro12, his career reflects perseverance and passion at rugby’s highest levels.

8 Matt Carley

Carley has built a distinguished career as one of rugby’s leading referees. Rising through the domestic ranks, he became a regular official at the top level of English rugby and earned appointments in major international competitions.

His calm authority, consistency, and ability to manage the game’s tempo have earned widespread respect across the sport.

7 James Doleman

From Dunedin school fields to international arenas, Doleman’s rise has been swift. Clear communication is his calling card, even if some observers feel he’s still growing into the very biggest stages.

Having already officiated major Test nations, his reputation for accuracy and confidence is expanding quickly.

6 Luke Pearce

Pearce’s progression has been smooth and steady. Starting at just 16, he earned early respect for his clarity and rapport with players.

Fans love how he lets games breathe, though others think he’s sometimes too lenient. His guiding-over-controlling philosophy has made him a regular pick for major internationals.

5 Angus Gardner

Gardner’s approachable, conversation-driven style has made him one of the most recognisable referees in the world. Starting young and rising quickly, he was named World Rugby Referee of the Year in 2018.

Some prefer stricter officiating, but Gardner’s steady hand in high-profile matches has earned him global respect.

4 Nika Amashukeli

Resilience defines Amashukeli’s journey. Early in his career he was attacked after a domestic game — a moment that would have ended many refereeing paths. Instead he pushed forward, eventually reaching the Rugby World Cup stage.

He’s admired for his honesty, knowledge, and willingness to communicate openly. Even amid occasional controversy, his integrity stands out.

3 Hollie Davidson

A trailblazer in rugby officiating, Davidson became the first woman to referee both a European final and a Springboks Test. Known for her composed leadership and sharp decision-making, she’s often described as professional and quietly authoritative.

Focused on performance rather than publicity, she continues to redefine excellence in refereeing.

2 Nic Berry

Berry’s first career as a halfback ended abruptly due to concussions, but refereeing offered a second chapter — one he’s embraced fully. His rise into the elite ranks has been rapid, though not without controversy, especially during the Lions series in South Africa.

Still, his calmness and player empathy have earned him loyal supporters.

1 Ben O’Keeffe

O’Keeffe is widely seen as the standard-setter in modern rugby refereeing. Known for staying composed under pressure, he holds national records for Test and first-class appearances and has overseen everything from World Cups to Lions clashes.

Despite facing intense online criticism at times, his measured responses and consistent performances have earned him broad admiration. Many consider him the most reliable referee in the world today.

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