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Hollie Davidson handed another huge appointment – set to make history again
Hollie Davidson

Hollie Davidson is set to make rugby history once again after landing another huge international appointment.

The Scottish referee will take charge of France against Argentina at the Stade de France on Saturday, 21 November.

Davidson will become the first woman to referee a men's France international, adding another milestone to her remarkable career.

The appointment comes after she became the first woman to referee a men's Six Nations match, overseeing Ireland's clash with Italy in Dublin earlier this year.

World Cup dream edges closer

Davidson has made no secret of her ambition to referee at the men's Rugby World Cup in Australia next year.

She has already officiated at two Women's Rugby World Cup finals, including England's victory over Canada at Twickenham in 2025.

Her latest appointment is another opportunity to impress World Rugby's selectors ahead of the 2027 tournament.

Before heading to Paris, Davidson will also referee Spain against Chile on 14 November.

She will serve as an assistant referee for Ireland's Nations Championship opener against Argentina this Friday.

Scottish Rugby confirmed her appointments last month.

Davidson has already broken barriers in the Six Nations, European club rugby and the international game.

Now, with the men's World Cup less than a year away, she has another chance to show she belongs on rugby's biggest stage.

Nations Championship referee appointments

World Rugby has confirmed the following appointments for November's competition.

Round One: 6–8 November

  • Ireland v Argentina – Luke Pearce
  • Italy v South Africa – Eoghan Cross
  • Scotland v New Zealand – Andrew Brace
  • Wales v Japan – Paul Williams
  • France v Fiji – Karl Dickson
  • England v Australia – Pierre Brousset

Round Two: 13–15 November

  • France v South Africa – Andrea Piardi
  • Italy v Argentina – Nika Amashukeli
  • Wales v New Zealand – Pierre Brousset
  • England v Japan – Damián Schneider
  • Ireland v Fiji – Angus Gardner
  • Scotland v Australia – James Doleman

Round Three: 21 November

  • England v New Zealand – Nic Berry
  • Scotland v Japan – Ben O'Keeffe
  • Ireland v South Africa – Christophe Ridley
  • Italy v Fiji – Andrew Brace
  • France v Argentina – Hollie Davidson
  • Wales v Australia – Luc Ramos

Five things you didn't know about Hollie Davidson

1. She was a 'yappy little terrier'

Before picking up the whistle, Davidson played scrum-half and once described herself as a "yappy little terrier" on the pitch.

2. She thought refereeing looked easy

After injury ended her playing ambitions, Davidson decided to give refereeing a go. She initially thought the job looked straightforward. She soon discovered otherwise.

3. She took a 50% pay cut

Davidson previously worked for investment banking giant JP Morgan. In 2017, she walked away from her banking career, accepting a pay cut of more than half to become a full-time referee.

4. She almost played for Scotland

Davidson was selected for Scotland's senior squad to face the Netherlands. However, a shoulder injury shortly before the match ended her international dream. She subsequently underwent two operations.

5. Her first men's Test was chaotic

Davidson made history when she refereed Portugal against Italy in 2022. It was far from a quiet debut, with four yellow cards and two penalty tries awarded during the match.

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