Sara Cox will make history this weekend when she becomes the first woman to referee a Premiership Rugby Cup clash.
Cox will take charge of Wasps’ Sunday afternoon clash at the Ricoh Arena with Northampton Saints on a weekend where four different women take senior roles in the Premiership Rugby Cup.
Cox is the RFU’s first centrally-contracted female referee and became the first woman to referee a game in the Greene King IPA Championship back in March.
She will now be the woman with the whistle for Sunday’s clash in Coventry on what is another breakthrough weekend for women in rugby.
In addition to Cox taking the whistle at the Ricoh, Claire Hodnett will be the TMO in Sunday’s live TV game as Harlequins take on Newcastle Falcons in front of the BT Sport cameras at the Stoop.
And on Friday night, Clare Daniels will be an assistant referee in Bristol Bears’ clash with Gloucester Rugby at Ashton Gate, with Danae Zamboulis in the role of Citing Officer at Leicester Tigers v Worcester Warriors
The Cherry & Whites made a stunning start to the competition with victory over Wasps at Kingsholm and Adam Leal will be the man in the middle for a game being broadcast on BT Sport.
The other game on Friday night sees Sale Sharks welcome Saracens to the AJ Bell Stadium, with Anthony Woodthorpe the man in charge.
On Saturday, Exeter Chiefs welcome local rivals Bath Rugby to Sandy Park and Dean Richards will be the referee.
Saturday’s second fixtures sees Worcester Warriors – so impressive in week one against Sale Sharks – return to Welford Road for a second time this season aiming to make it two wins from two against Leicester Tigers, with Hamish Smales officiating.
And on Sunday, BT Sport’s cameras will also be rolling at the Stoop when Harlequins host Newcastle Falcons and Michael Hudson takes charge with Hodnett as the TMO.