Referee to make history in Wasps v Northampton Saints

Wasps' Premiership Rugby Cup encounter with Northampton Saints will be an historic one as Sara Cox becomes the first woman to referee a clash in the competition.

Cox, the Rugby Football Union's first centrally contracted referee, became the first woman to take charge of a Championship match in March.

This weekend will see four women take on senior roles in the Premiership Rugby Cup. Claire Hodnett will be the TMO for Harlequins' meeting with Newcastle Falcons, Clare Daniels will be an assistant referee for Gloucester's visit to Bristol Bears and Danae Zamboulis will serve as the citing officer as Leicester Tigers take on Worcester Warriors.

It has been a breakthrough year for female officials in professional rugby union, with Joy Neville becoming the first woman to oversee a top-level men's match in the UK, officiating as Ulster took on Southern Kings in the Pro14.

Australia's Amy Perrett became the first woman to officiate as an assistant referee in Super Rugby in the 2016 clash between Rebels and Stormers.

In other news: