Aboyne referee Hollie Davidson says it is “extremely humbling and exciting” to have been selected to take charge of Saturday’s Women’s Rugby World Cup final.
Scottish match official Davidson has been appointed to referee the final, which sees Canada face hosts England at Allianz Stadium Twickenham in London, by World Rugby after an excellent tournament from her so far.
Davidson will become the first person to referee in two Women’s Rugby World Cup finals, having previously taken to the middle in the 2021 (played in 2022) final at Eden Park, New Zealand.
Saturday’s final will mark her 46th international Test in charge. In total she has now taken charge of 12 men’s international matches at all levels of the game and 33 women’s international matches, with a 34th to come this weekend.
She will join Andre Watson as the only match officials to referee two Rugby World Cup finals, the South African having refereed the men’s title deciders in 1999 and 2003.
This game also marks the sixth major final she has overseen, the list including the aforementioned Women’s Rugby World Cup three years ago, the 2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens, the 2022 Commonwealth Games Sevens and the 2025 EPCR Challenge Cup.
Earlier this year, she was awarded a Scottish Rugby referee cap in recognition of her service at the game’s highest levels.
Speaking on her appointment, 33-year-old Davidson said: “To be selected to referee my second World Cup final is extremely humbling and exciting.
“This has been the biggest Women’s Rugby World Cup ever and it’s been a privilege to play a small part in it.
“I couldn’t have done it without the support from the match official team here in London and all the support from Scottish Rugby.
“It’s been a challenging year, but it’s about showing up again and again.”
Andrew Macpherson, Scottish Rugby’s high performance match official manager, said: “Seeing Hollie, one of our professional referees, selected for the Women’s Rugby World Cup was hugely rewarding.
“For her now to be appointed to officiate the final is thoroughly deserved and a clear recognition of her consistent performances at the very highest level.
“Hollie has shown tremendous dedication to officiating, and her achievements continue to inspire referees across Scotland and beyond. I know that everyone at Scottish Rugby is immensely proud of what she has accomplished so far, and I am delighted to see her take charge of such a prestigious fixture.”
World Rugby chair Brett Robinson added: “On behalf of World Rugby, congratulations to Hollie on her selection as the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 final referee.
“To take charge of two Rugby World Cup finals is an incredible achievement and reflection of a match official who is at the top of her game.
“We wish her well, along with bronze final referee Ella Goldsmith and all the assistant referees, TMOs and FPROs who will be playing their part in making history at a full Allianz Stadium at the weekend.”
The bronze medal match is between New Zealand and France also on Saturday at the same venue as the final.
- Scotland hooker Elis Martin, who was part of the country’s run to the last eight at the World Cup, has undergone knee surgery.
Hollie Davidson is pictured – thanks to Scottish Rugby
From August 7 until September 30, GH Media will be following the Scotland World Cup journey all of the way. We will be at all of the Scotland matches down south and will be bringing you all of the interviews and news from camp as well as taking a wider look at the tournament as a whole and its impact on the women’s game. Thanks to Quirky Chocolate and other supporters for allowing this content to happen and to readers for engaging with it.
