Hollie Davidson to referee the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup Final

BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 07: Referee Hollie Davidson interacts players at a scrum during the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 Pool C match between New Zealand and Ireland at Brighton & Hove Albion Stadium on September 07, 2025 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Alex Davidson - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

Saturday’s final will mark her 46^th 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 34^th to add this weekend.

Davidson becomes 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.

She also joins 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.

Next weekend marks the sixth major Final she has overseen, which includes the aforementioned Rugby World Cup, the 2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens Final, the 2022 Commonwealth Games Sevens Final, and the 2025 EPCR Challenge Cup Final.

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, Davidson said: “To be selected for my second World Cup Final is extremely humbling and exciting. This has been the biggest Women’s Rugby World Cup 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.”