Hollie Davidson to become first woman to referee an All Blacks Test

Wednesday, 15 October 2025 at 00:53

bySteven Smith

Trailblazing Scottish referee Hollie Davidson is set to make history this November, becoming the first woman ever to referee an All Blacks Test when she takes charge of Wales v New Zealand in the Autumn Nations Series.

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Award-winning official

Davidson, recently crowned World Rugby Referee of the Year 2025, continues to break barriers at the very top of the game. More than a quarter of her 46 matches in the middle have come in men’s Test rugby — a remarkable statistic that underlines her rapid rise.

From Twickenham to Test history

The 32-year-old took charge of the Women’s Rugby World Cup Final between England’s Red Roses and Canada at a sold-out Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, cementing her place as one of the sport’s leading officials.

Her breakthrough moment came in 2022, when she became the first woman to referee a men’s Six Nations team, leading an all-female officiating crew as Italy beat Portugal 38–31. Later that year, she made history again by refereeing both the Women’s Sevens and 15s World Cup Finals just 62 days apart.

Rising through the ranks

In the last two years, Davidson has continued to impress — taking charge of world champions South Africa in July 2024 and officiating the European Challenge Cup Final between Bath and Lyon in Cardiff earlier this year.

Autumn appointments

As well as the Wales v New Zealand clash, Davidson will referee Portugal v Hong Kong this autumn, and has been appointed as assistant referee for Italy v Australia on Saturday, 8 November, alongside fellow Scot Sam Grove-White.

Once again, Hollie Davidson is breaking new ground — and inspiring the next generation of referees across world rugby.

Autumn Internationals Referees 2025 Confirmed – Full Fixture List by Weekend, Including England Games

Autumn Internationals Referees 2025

Saturday, 18 October 2025

Saturday, 25 October 2025

Japan v Australia – National Stadium, Tokyo
- Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (NZR)
- Assistant Referee 1: Angus Mabey (NZR)
- Assistant Referee 2: Morgan White (HKCR)
- TMO: Richard Kelly (NZR)
- FRPO: Matt Rodden (HKCR)

Saturday, 1 November 2025

England v Australia – Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
- Referee: Nika Amashukeli (GRU)
- Assistant Referee 1: James Doleman (NZR)
- Assistant Referee 2: Craig Evans (WRU)
- TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
- FRPO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)

South Africa v Japan – Wembley Stadium, London
- Referee: Eoghan Cross (IRFU)
- Assistant Referee 1: Ben O'Keeffe (NZR)
- Assistant Referee 2: Adam Leal (RFU)
- TMO: Mike Adamson (SRU)
- FRPO: Tual Trainini (FFR)

Scotland v USA – Murrayfield, Edinburgh
- Referee: Damián Schneider (UAR)
- Assistant Referee 1: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)
- Assistant Referee 2: Katsuki Furuse (JRFU)
- TMO: Leo Colgan (IRFU)
- FRPO: Olly Hodges (IRFU)

Ireland v New Zealand – Soldier Field, Chicago, USA
- Referee: Pierre Brousset (FFR)
- Assistant Referee 1: Karl Dickson (RFU)
- Assistant Referee 2: Luc Ramos (FFR)
- TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU)
- FRPO: Dan Jones (RFU)

Barbarians v All Blacks XV – Gtech Community Stadium, London
- Referee: Nic Berry (RA)
- Assistant Referee 1: RFU appointment
- Assistant Referee 2: RFU appointment
- TMO: RFU appointment

Munster v Argentina XV – Thomond Park, Limerick
- Referee: Angus Gardner (RA)
- Assistant Referee 1: Peter Martin (IRFU)
- Assistant Referee 2: Jack MacNeice (IRFU)
- TMO: Mark Patton (IRFU)

Friday, 7 November 2025

Bristol Bears v Argentina XV – Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol
- Referee: Nic Berry (RA)
- Assistant Referee 1: RFU appointment
- Assistant Referee 2: RFU appointment
- TMO: RFU appointment

Saturday, 8 November 2025

Ireland v Japan – Aviva Stadium, Dublin
- Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)
- Assistant Referee 1: Andrea Piardi (FIR)
- Assistant Referee 2: Federico Vedovelli (FIR)
- TMO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)
- FRPO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)

Scotland v New Zealand – Murrayfield, Edinburgh
- Referee: Nic Berry (RA)
- Assistant Referee 1: Pierre Brousset (FFR)
- Assistant Referee 2: Morné Ferreira (SARU)
- TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)
- FRPO: Marius Jonker (SARU)

Georgia v USA – Adjarabet Arena, Batumi
- Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU)
- Assistant Referee 1: Adam Leal (RFU)
- Assistant Referee 2: George Selwood (RFU)
- TMO: Dan Jones (RFU)

England v Fiji – Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
- Referee: Paul Williams (NZR)
- Assistant Referee 1: Luc Ramos (FFR)
- Assistant Referee 2: Katsuki Furuse (JRFU)
- TMO: Mike Adamson (SRU)
- FRPO: Quinton Immelman (SARU)

Italy v Australia – Bluenergy Stadium, Udine
- Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)
- Assistant Referee 1: Hollie Davidson (SRU)
- Assistant Referee 2: Sam Grove-White (SRU)
- TMO: Olly Hodges (IRFU)
- FRPO: Leo Colgan (IRFU)

France v South Africa – Stade de France, Saint-Denis
- Referee: Angus Gardner (RA)
- Assistant Referee 1: Nika Amashukeli (GRU)
- Assistant Referee 2: Christophe Ridley (RFU)
- TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU)
- FRPO: Andrew Jackson (RFU)

Romania v Canada – Stadionul National Arcul de Triumf, Bucharest
- Referee: Ben Breakspear (WRU)
- Assistant Referee 1: Adam Jones (WRU)
- Assistant Referee 2: Ben Connor (WRU)
- TMO: Aled Griffiths (WRU)

Portugal v Uruguay – Estádio Nacional do Jamor, Lisbon
- Referee: James Doleman (NZR)
- Assistant Referee 1: Kevin Bralley (FFR)
- Assistant Referee 2: Evan Urruzmendi (FFR)
- TMO: Tual Trainini (FFR)

Spain v Ireland A – Estadio Ontime Butarque, Leganés
- Referee: Tomás Bertazza (UAR)
- Assistant Referee 1: Morgan White (HKCR)
- Assistant Referee 2: FER appointment
- TMO: Paulo Duarte (FPR)

England A v All Blacks XV – The Recreation Ground, Bath
- Referee: RFU appointment
- Assistant Referee 1: RFU appointment
- Assistant Referee 2: RFU appointment
- TMO: RFU appointment

Sunday, 9 November 2025

Wales v Argentina – Principality Stadium, Cardiff
- Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (NZR)
- Assistant Referee 1: Karl Dickson (RFU)
- Assistant Referee 2: Anthony Woodthorpe (RFU)
- TMO: Quinton Immelman (SARU)
- FRPO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)

Saturday, 15 November 2025

Italy v South Africa – Allianz Stadium, Turin
- Referee: James Doleman (NZR)
- Assistant Referee 1: Ben O'Keeffe (NZR)
- Assistant Referee 2: Jérémy Rozier (FFR)
- TMO: Tual Trainini (FFR)
- FRPO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)

England v New Zealand – Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
- Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR)
- Assistant Referee 1: Luc Ramos (FFR)
- Assistant Referee 2: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)
- TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)
- FRPO: Mike Adamson (SRU)

Georgia v Canada – Adjarabet Arena, Batumi
- Referee: Paul Williams (NZR)
- Assistant Referee 1: Federico Vedovelli (FIR)
- Assistant Referee 2: Filippo Russo (FIR)
- TMO: Aled Griffiths (WRU)

Romania v USA – Stadionul National Arcul de Triumf, Bucharest
- Referee: Sam Grove-White (SRU)
- Assistant Referee 1: Saba Abulashvili (GRU)
- Assistant Referee 2: Peter Martin (IRFU)
- TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)

Wales v Japan – Principality Stadium, Cardiff
- Referee: Matthew Carley (RFU)
- Assistant Referee 1: Nic Berry (RA)
- Assistant Referee 2: Anthony Woodthorpe (RFU)
- TMO: Andrew Jackson (RFU)
- FRPO: Quinton Immelman (SARU)

Ireland v Australia – Aviva Stadium, Dublin
- Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU)
- Assistant Referee 1: Pierre Brousset (FFR)
- Assistant Referee 2: Adam Leal (RFU)
- TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU)
- FRPO: Dan Jones (RFU)

France v Fiji – Stade Atlantique, Bordeaux
- Referee: Christophe Ridley (RFU)
- Assistant Referee 1: Nika Amashukeli (GRU)
- Assistant Referee 2: Morné Ferreira (SARU)
- TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU)
- FRPO: Stuart Terheege (RFU)

Portugal v Hong Kong China – Estádio Nacional do Jamor, Lisbon
- Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU)
- Assistant Referee 1: Ben Breakspear (WRU)
- Assistant Referee 2: Ben Connor (WRU)
- TMO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)

Spain v England A – Campo José Zorrilla, Valladolid
- Referee: Morgan White (HKCR)
- Assistant Referee 1: Tomás Bertazza (UAR)
- Assistant Referee 2: FER appointment
- TMO: Paulo Duarte (FPR)

Sunday, 16 November 2025

Scotland v Argentina – Murrayfield, Edinburgh
- Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)
- Assistant Referee 1: Angus Gardner (RA)
- Assistant Referee 2: Luke Pearce (RFU)
- TMO: Olly Hodges (IRFU)
- FRPO: Leo Colgan (IRFU)

Uruguay v All Blacks XV – Montpellier, France
- Referee: FFR appointment
- Assistant Referee 1: FFR appointment
- Assistant Referee 2: FFR appointment
- TMO: FFR appointment

Saturday, 22 November 2025

Wales v New Zealand – Principality Stadium, Cardiff
- Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU)
- Assistant Referee 1: Andrea Piardi (FIR)
- Assistant Referee 2: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)
- TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU)
- FRPO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)

Georgia v Japan – Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi
- Referee: Eoghan Cross (IRFU)
- Assistant Referee 1: Anthony Woodthorpe (RFU)
- Assistant Referee 2: Peter Martin (IRFU)
- TMO: Leo Colgan (IRFU)

Spain v Fiji – Estadio Ciudad de Málaga, Málaga
- Referee: Damián Schneider (UAR)
- Assistant Referee 1: Federico Vedovelli (FIR)
- Assistant Referee 2: George Selwood (RFU)
- TMO: Quinton Immelman (SARU)

Ireland v South Africa – Aviva Stadium, Dublin
- Referee: Matthew Carley (RFU)
- Assistant Referee 1: Karl Dickson (RFU)
- Assistant Referee 2: Christophe Ridley (RFU)
- TMO: Andrew Jackson (RFU)
- FRPO: Dan Jones (RFU)

Italy v Chile – Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Genoa
- Referee: Adam Leal (RFU)
- Assistant Referee 1: Adam Jones (WRU)
- Assistant Referee 2: Ben Connor (WRU)
- TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
- FRPO: Stuart Terheege (RFU)

France v Australia – Stade de France, Saint-Denis
- Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU)
- Assistant Referee 1: Andrew Brace (IRFU)
- Assistant Referee 2: Craig Evans (WRU)
- TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)
- FRPO: Mike Adamson (SRU)

Portugal v Canada – Estádio Cidade de Coimbra, Coimbra
- Referee: Morné Ferreira (SARU)
- Assistant Referee 1: Saba Abulashvili (GRU)
- Assistant Referee 2: Filippo Russo (FIR)
- TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU)

Romania v Uruguay – Stadionul National Arcul de Triumf, Bucharest
- Referee: Jérémy Rozier (FFR)
- Assistant Referee 1: Ben Breakspear (WRU)
- Assistant Referee 2: Kevin Bralley (FFR)
- TMO: Aled Griffiths (WRU)

Sunday, 23 November 2025

Scotland v Tonga – Murrayfield, Edinburgh
- Referee: Luc Ramos (FFR)
- Assistant Referee 1: Evan Urruzmendi (FFR)
- Assistant Referee 2: Benoît Rousselet (FFR)
- TMO: Tual Trainini (FFR)
- FRPO: Olly Hodges (IRFU)

England v Argentina – Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
- Referee: Pierre Brousset (FFR)
- Assistant Referee 1: Nika Amashukeli (GRU)
- Assistant Referee 2: Sam Grove-White (SRU)
- TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
- FRPO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)

Saturday, 29 November 2025

Wales v South Africa – Principality Stadium, Cardiff
- Referee: Luc Ramos (FFR)
- Assistant Referee 1: Matthew Carley (RFU)
- Assistant Referee 2: Pierre Brousset (FFR)
- TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
- FRPO: Andrew Jackson (RFU)