1
Referee to make history in Wasps v Northampton Saints
By Nicholas McGee
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:
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Saracens statement: The outcome of Billy Vunipola investigation
3
Ox Nche: 'The best feeling is squeezing a prop so hard he passes out'
4
RFU statement: Maro Itoje cited for yellow-carded tackle
5
Latest Comments
I’m looking forward to attending the Twickenham match, I don’t think it will have a bearing on the outcome of the grand prize itself but it will tell us more about each teams’ preparation and game plan. It’s hard to look past one of the big four (I’m including Canada) lifting the trophy in 2025 but sport is a curious thing, there will still be twists and turns in road ahead.
Go to commentsThe better side seems to be the losing side a lot these days. As far as narrative goes. Must be the big emergent culture of “participation awards” that have emerged in nanny states. ”It looked like New Zealand would take the game from there but lapses in execution let South Africa get back into the game. New Zealand’s goal kickers left five points out there, including a very make-able penalty on the stroke of half”. Sounds like a chronic problem… I wonder how the better team has lapses in concentration and execution? Or are those not important factors in the grand scheme of total performances? In 2023, the ABs at least didn’t give up a lead to lose. They just couldn’t execute to get the points and take the lead. This Baby AB result points to a choke - letting the game slip through your fingers. In the words of the great Ricky Bobby’s dad - “If you’re not 1st you’re last!” Loosely translated - if you didn’t win, you’re a loser.
Go to comments