Italy captain Michele Lamaro says that Scottish referee Hollie Davidson was “outstanding” during their Guinness Men’s Six Nations match with Ireland at the weekend.
Despite his side losing out 20-13 at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, he made a point of ending his post-match press briefing by recognising Davidson who had just become the first female to officiate a men’s Six Nations match.
The back-rower said about the 33-year-old trailblazer from Aboyne: “I want to emphasise that the referee Hollie Davidson has been outstanding.
“It’s obviously the first time ever for a woman referee in the men’s Six Nations and I want to congratulate her.
“She has been doing so much for world rugby and our game and I think it’s an important thing to say.
“I appreciated the work we did together during this game on the pitch.
“Whatever the decision was, I was backing her and making sure everything was going the right way so I just want to congratulate her and thank her for the effort on the field.”
- Glasgow Warriors scored at the death to earn themselves a four-try bonus point in defeat to leaders Wolfhounds at home on Sunday, but the women’s Celtic Challenge struggles go on for both Scottish teams.
It was a 42-26 loss for fourth-placed Glasgow at Scotstoun while Edinburgh Rugby are now bottom of the six-team pile after a 33-14 defeat by Brython Thunder away in Wales on Saturday.
There are three regular season games left before the top four play-offs.
Round eight will be played this coming weekend with Brython-Wolfhounds, Clovers-Edinburgh and Gwalia-Glasgow all on Saturday.
Meanwhile, in domestic women’s rugby, the Sarah Beaney Cup pool phase returns this coming Saturday after a break with Corstorphine Cougars taking on Hillhead Jordanhill and Watsonians facing Cartha Queens Park.
The Arnold Clark Regional Play-Off Series returns with Garioch and Highland meeting on Saturday and then Dundee Valkyries playing Wigtownshire on Sunday.
Italy captain Michele Lamaro, Scottish referee Hollie Davidson and Ireland skipper Caelan Doris are pictured – thanks to the Six Nations