Hollie Davidson to referee Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 final

Scotland's Hollie Davidson has been appointed to referee the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 final between hosts England and Canada at a sold-out Allianz Stadium in London on Saturday, the tournament organizers announced. Davidson, 33, will take the whistle before an expected crowd of around 82,000, with Ireland's Leo Colgan named as Television Match Official, South Africa's Aimee Barrett-Theron and Italy's Clara Munarini as assistant referees, and Italy's Matteo Liperini as the Foul Play Review Officer.

World Rugby highlighted that Davidson will become the first official to referee two Women's Rugby World Cup finals, having previously presided over New Zealand's 34-31 victory over England at Eden Park in the 2021 title match. The governing body and selection committee praised her appointment as recognition of consistent performance across men's and women's international rugby. World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson said, "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."

Davidson's selection caps a rapid rise through the officiating ranks since she switched to refereeing in 2015 after a playing...