Referee Hollie Davidson: The stuff shouted from the sidelines was ridiculous all the classics'

"At the beginning, the 33yearold says, the big thing was, always, physically can she do it? Will she be able to keep up with the men's game? What happens if she gets knocked over? Is her rugby knowledge there? How will players and fans react to her? That sexism is still there at points, but people now just want to see a game being well refereed. There was no such acceptance at the start of her career in 2015."

"I probably stood out like a sore thumb, says Hollie Davidson as she reflects on the long hard road she has travelled to reach the point where, on Saturday, in Dublin, she will become the first woman to referee a men's Six Nations game. Davidson leans forward in her chair and ticks off some of the doubts she has had to overcome amid derision and prejudice."

"The stuff shouted from the sidelines was ridiculous. It was all about where I should be instead of a pitch or that I should be doing other things with my Saturday than refereeing a game. All the classics. She also had to hear bleak and frightening words. There would be indications of where I should go after the game for players to do whatever they wanted with me."

Hollie Davidson will become the first woman to referee a men's Six Nations game in Dublin, overcoming a long, difficult path. She faced early derision and prejudice after starting her career in 2015, including shouted abuse, sexist remarks and frightening threats. She doubted her physical ability, refereeing knowledge and expected reactions from players and fans. The early stages felt isolating and lonely with few resources or mentors. Her support network has expanded to include colleagues, a coach, a manager and a sports psychologist. She had to remain silent for a week and a half before the Ireland v Italy appointment was announced.

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