Refereeing trailblazer retires from international rugby

Cox was a trailblazer for women in officiating, becoming the world’s first professional female referee when she was centrally contracted by the RFU in 2016. Her impact on the sport was formally recognised in 2023, when she was awarded an MBE for services to rugby.

She steps away from the international game after officiating at the home Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, marking her fifth World Cup overall and her third as the referee in the middle (2017 and 2021, played in 2022), having previously served as an assistant referee in 2010 and 2014. During the 2025 tournament, Cox made history while refereeing Japan v Spain, becoming the first woman to officiate 50 Test matches.

Across her international career, Cox has refereed at two Olympic Games – Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, where she took charge of the gold medal match – as well as the Commonwealth Games, Guinness Six Nations, WXV and a wide range of other international Test fixtures.

Sara Cox said: “I feel very privileged to have officiated at the highest level of the global game for over a decade. Rugby has given me amazing experiences but after the high of a home World Cup, now feels like the right time to hang up my international boots and spend some time on other interests while continuing to give my all to the club game.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has supported my career, I wouldn’t be where I am without the amazing team around me and a group of fantastic colleagues both in England and when travelling around the world.

“But most of all I’d like to thank my friends and family – particularly my mum who has always been my biggest supporter. Being able to referee a game in Exeter, my hometown, during last summer’s World Cup was a moment of real pride and amazing to do so in front of people who’ve championed me in my career but not always been able to travel to the far-flung places I’ve worked.

“I look forward to continuing to referee in our domestic leagues and hopefully continuing to encourage other women to see match officiating as a role for them.”

Bill Sweeney, RFU CEO, said: “Sara has been a true pioneer for match officials and an inspiration to so many. Her professionalism, resilience and passion for the game have broken barriers and demonstrated the path to top level match officiating for women across the world. She deserves huge plaudits for everything she’s achieved in her international career, and we are delighted that she will be continuing to contribute to the English game.”

Paul Hull, RFU Head of Professional Game Match Officials, added: “Sara’s contribution to refereeing has been exceptional. She has shown that talent and determination can take you to the very top and her legacy will be felt for generations.”