Hollie Davidson has revealed the heartbreak of an injury that shattered her dream of playing international rugby for Scotland.
The trailblazing referee was just days away from winning her first senior cap when a shoulder injury changed everything.
Two operations followed. Her Scotland dream never recovered.
Speaking to Rugby World in an earlier interview, Davidson admitted: "I had shoulder surgery and it was never the same."
She added: "There was a time when I had regrets, but now I'm comfortable it was part of my journey."
However, the disappointment has never completely disappeared.
In a February 2026 interview with The Irish Times, Davidson admitted: "To this day, it absolutely pains me to never fulfil that dream of being capped."
The former scrum-half has since enjoyed an extraordinary second career, becoming one of the most recognisable officials in world rugby.
Here are 10 things you might not know about the Scottish referee.
10 facts about Hollie Davidson
1. She was days away from playing for Scotland
Davidson was just 19 when she was selected for Scotland's senior squad ahead of a match against the Netherlands in 2011.
She was expected to make her debut from the bench.
Then disaster struck.
During a Scotland select match, she suffered a shoulder injury that ruled her out of the international.
Speaking to RugbyPass, she recalled: "Everything was tracking really well and I was like 'this is going to be fantastic'."
However, she received a phone call informing her that playing would be too risky.
It was the beginning of the end of her international playing ambitions.
2. She underwent two operations
The injury proved far more serious than Davidson initially hoped.
She required two rounds of shoulder surgery and struggled to regain her place in the Scotland setup.
Speaking to BBC Sport, she admitted: "I was gutted. It's so brutal when you get so close to something you want so much."
She feared her rugby journey was over.
3. She used to work for JP Morgan
Before becoming a professional referee, Davidson worked in banking for JP Morgan.
She had studied economic history at the University of Edinburgh and appeared set for a successful career in finance.
But rugby wasn't finished with her.
4. She took a massive pay cut
In 2017, Davidson left banking to become Scotland's first contracted female rugby referee.
The decision reportedly meant accepting a pay cut of more than 50%.
A pretty serious gamble.
Thankfully, it turned out to be a good one.
5. She was a 'yappy little terrier'
Before picking up the whistle, Davidson played scrum-half for Scotland Under-20s and Murrayfield Wanderers.
She once described herself as a "yappy little terrier" on the pitch.
In other words, a fairly typical scrum-half.
Her playing experience would later prove valuable when she moved into refereeing.
6. She made men's Six Nations history
In February 2026, Davidson became the first woman to referee a men's Six Nations match.
She took charge of Ireland against Italy at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
7. She has refereed two World Cup finals
Davidson took charge of the 2022 Women's Rugby World Cup final between New Zealand and England.
She then returned to the biggest stage for the 2025 final between England and Canada.
Her achievements helped establish her among the game's leading officials.
RUCK subsequently ranked Davidson as the world's best rugby referee.
8. She has faced vile abuse
Davidson has spoken openly about the abuse she received while working her way through Scottish club rugby.
Some supporters questioned whether a woman belonged on the pitch.
She also revealed that she had experienced threatening comments and abuse directed at her family.
It was enough to make her question whether she wanted to continue.
However, she refused to let those experiences end her refereeing career.
9. She has an honorary doctorate
In December 2024, Davidson received an honorary doctorate from Robert Gordon University.
The university recognised her achievements in rugby and her role in breaking barriers for women in sport.
The former banker had become one of Scotland's most celebrated sporting officials.
10. She has her sights set on the 2027 World Cup
Davidson has made no secret of her ambition to referee at the men's Rugby World Cup.
The 2027 tournament in Australia is firmly on her radar.
Having already officiated some of the biggest matches in women's rugby, she is determined to keep pushing boundaries.
For someone who once thought her rugby journey had ended at 19, that would be quite a way to complete the comeback.
