The trailblazing Scottish official has found a new level of celebrity after breaking records left, right and centre
Davidson has made history again(Image: Evan Treacy/Getty Images)
Hollie Davidson will make rugby history again next month as the trailblazing referee’s rise continues following a new appointment.
The former Scotland U20s scrum-half became a professional referee in 2017 after quitting her job in banking and has been on a remarkable ascent ever since. Having broken records left, right and centre, she has established herself as one of the world’s best officials in both the women’s and men’s game and found a level of celebrity that her peers could only dream of.
Last month, Davidson hit the latest milestone of her impressive career to date as she became the first female official to referee a men’s Six Nations game, taking charge of Ireland’s clash with Italy at the Aviva Stadium.
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That came after she received the World Rugby Referee Award in September last year, having also become the first woman to referee a men’s European final and officiate Test matches involving the Springboks and All Blacks in recent years.
Now, she will make history again, having been appointed to officiate the Top 14 match between Clermont and Lyon next month.
The fixture at the Stade Marcel Michelin on April 17 will see Davidson become the first woman to officiate a match in France’s top domestic league.
Announcing the appointment, the Top 14 said that “a page in French rugby’s history books is being written”.
The move comes after Davidson won plaudits for her Six Nations performance from Italian captain Michele Lamaro, who described her as “outstanding”.
TV personality Jamie Laing is also part of her rapidly growing fanbase, having reached out to congratulate the referee on her history-making achievement in the wake of her performance in Dublin.
Her new-found fame was laid bare when she walked out onto the field as an assistant referee for the URC match between Edinburgh and Scarlets last month, with supporters outside the ground mobbing her for autographs and pictures.
While most officials are often maligned by those in the stands, Davidson was cheered throughout the game, with fans calling out her name and showing her adoration usually only reserved for the players on show.
She has shown no signs of slowing down either, with her heart now set on making history yet again next year.
“My big goal would be to referee in 2027 at the Men’s World Cup,” she said during a recent appearance on The Good, The Scaz and The Rugby podcast. “I’d be lying if I said that that wasn’t one of my ambitions.”
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