Hollie Davidson: From Injury Setback to European Final Referee

Hollie Davidson journey to rugby history through injury and reinvention

For most athletes, the end of a dream often signals the end of the road. But for Hollie Davidson, it was just the beginning of a different kind of journey—one that would see her become a trailblazer in international rugby officiating.

On Friday night in Cardiff, the 32-year-old Scot will reach a new milestone in her already distinguished career as she takes charge of the Challenge Cup final between Bath and Lyon. In doing so, Davidson will become the first woman to referee a European club final—yet another chapter in her ever-evolving rugby story.

A dream interrupted

Long before she picked up the whistle, Davidson was chasing a dream with the ball in hand. A gifted half-back capable of operating at both scrum-half and fly-half, she had set her sights on representing Scotland on the international stage.

“I was 19 going on 20 when I got invited to my first senior Scotland women’s camp,” Davidson told the Scotland Rugby Podcast. “I was named on the bench to get my first cap against the Netherlands.”

But fate had other ideas.

“The weekend before we were supposed to fly out, I injured my shoulder. That injury stayed with me for years—surgeries followed, and I could never quite make my way back into that setup,” she recalled.

For a young athlete on the cusp of fulfilling her dream, it was a cruel twist of fate. “I was gutted. It’s brutal when you get so close to something you’ve worked so hard for, only to have it snatched away. At that point, I really thought my journey in rugby was over.”

A new path opens

Thankfully, it wasn’t. While her playing ambitions were derailed, Davidson’s love for the game never waned. Instead, she turned to refereeing—a role she initially took on more out of curiosity than long-term ambition.

But soon, she began to see a future in the job. As her confidence grew, so too did the opportunities.

“I think the early days were probably the hardest,” Davidson said, reflecting on her early refereeing career. “Turning up on your own to clubs where they’ve maybe never had a female official before—it’s daunting.”

At times, the challenges weren’t external but internal. “I definitely had doubts—like, ‘Are they going to respect me?’ or ‘Am I being judged for being a woman?’ But actually, it was never really about that. The players don’t care; they just want a good referee. It was me who had to get over my own self-doubts.”

Breaking barriers and making history

Once Davidson found her footing, there was no slowing her down. She has officiated at the highest levels of both the women’s and men’s game, and the milestones keep coming.

In 2021, she took charge of the Women’s Rugby World Cup final in New Zealand. Two years later, she made history as the first woman to officiate in a men’s Six Nations match—serving as an assistant referee. In 2023, she became the first woman to referee the world champion South African Springboks in a men’s Test.

Davidson says one standout memory came during a United Rugby Championship match between the Sharks and Munster, when she found herself standing next to captains Eben Etzebeth and Tadhg Beirne for the coin toss.

“They’re two absolute powerhouses of the sport,” she said. “But I felt completely at ease. I just reminded myself that I belonged there too.”

Eyes on the Six Nations

Referee Hollie Davidson indicates a second Irish try, scored by Ireland’s flanker Josh Van der Flier (2L) during the Autumn International rugby union test match between Ireland and Fiji at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, on November 23, 2024

Davidson’s ambition shows no sign of fading. In fact, the next big goal on her radar is perhaps her boldest yet.

“The big one would be to ref a men’s Six Nations game,” she says without hesitation. “Outside of the World Cup, the Six Nations is the pinnacle every single year. That’s what made me fall in love with rugby in the first place.”

She recalls school trips to Murrayfield to watch Scotland play, the excitement of being part of a rugby crowd, and the seeds of inspiration that would eventually guide her path.

“To be out there in the middle of that would just be incredible. It would top everything I’ve done so far,” she adds.

But Davidson isn’t just chasing moments for herself—she’s also helping pave the way for others. Her success has made her a role model for young referees, especially women, who can now look to her and see what’s possible.

More than just a referee

One of Davidson’s greatest strengths is her presence—not just on the field, but off it too. She’s articulate, engaging, and quietly confident, which helps explain why she commands such respect from players and coaches alike.

“Communication is key in this job,” she said. “You’re managing people, emotions, and high-pressure situations. It’s not just about the laws of the game—it’s about understanding the game and the people playing it.”

As the first woman to officiate a European club final, Davidson’s story is already extraordinary. But it’s also far from finished. With the 2027 men’s Rugby World Cup on the horizon and that elusive Six Nations dream still in sight, her journey continues to unfold—one whistle blow at a time.

A second chance to chase the top

What makes Davidson’s rise so compelling is that it’s powered by a second chance. She never got to experience the Test arena as a player, but she’s carving out a legacy that might be even more impactful.

“In some ways, refereeing gave me a second shot at living those big moments,” she says. “And I’m so grateful I took that opportunity.”

Whether it’s Friday night’s Challenge Cup final in Cardiff or a Six Nations fixture in the near future, one thing is clear: Hollie Davidson isn’t done breaking boundaries. Not by a long shot.

And with every match she oversees, she’s proving that sometimes, the road you didn’t plan for ends up being the most rewarding one of all.