Joy Neville to referee final Test at Women's Six Nations

Irish referee Joy Neville will make her final appearance before international retirement in this season's Guinness Women’s Six Nations.

Neville became the first woman to officiate at a men’s Rugby World Cup when she was selected as a television match official for the 2023 tournament in France, where she oversaw five pool stage games.

Neville, who refereed the women’s Rugby World Cup final in 2017, announced in January that she would be stepping down at the end of this season and will take up a new role as referee development manager in Connacht.

The former Ireland international will be in charge of France versus Italy in Paris on 14 April, World Rugby announced.

Scottish referee Hollie Davidson, who became the first on-field female member of an officiating team in a men’s Six Nations match when she was appointed as an assistant referee for England’s game against Wales at Twickenham, will control two games in the women’s tournament.

England’s Sara Cox has also been awarded two matches in the competition that kicks off on 23 March when France host Ireland.

Watch a BKT United Rugby Championship double-header, Leinster v Benetton (3pm) and Cardiff v Connacht (5.15pm) on Saturday from 2.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player