Referee Joy Neville to retire at end of season

Referee Joy Neville, the first woman to officiate at a men's Rugby World Cup, has announced she will retire at the end of the season.

The 40-year-old was selected as a television match official for last year's tournament in France.

She oversaw five pool stage matches, including England’s 34-12 victory over Japan in Nice.

Limerick-born Neville, a former Ireland captain, also refereed the Women’s Rugby World Cup final in 2017, when New Zealand defeated England 41-32 in Belfast.

She will take up a new role as referee development manager in Connacht, working to recruit and train referees.

"When I first took up the whistle after my playing career concluded, I could never have imagined the places the game would take me," Neville said.

"To be involved in, firstly, the Women’s Rugby World Cup final was a huge honour and to then progress through to the Men’s Rugby World Cup made me incredibly proud and it’s only when I look back now that I can truly appreciate those achievements."

Neville played with Shannon and UL Bohemians and also represented her home province Munster with distinction.

She won 70 caps for Ireland, captaining the team during the 2009 Women's Six Nations Championship, leading the Ireland women to their inaugural win over France.

She also won a Women's Six Nations Grand Slam in 2013 and featured in two Women’s Rugby World Cups, in 2006 and 2010.

Upon her retirement from the game, the Limerick woman rose up through the ranks at All-Ireland League, World Rugby Sevens Series, URC, EPCR Challenge Cup and Champions Cup tournaments. Neville refereed the Women’s Rugby World Cup final in 2017 and won the World Rugby Referee Award that same year.

IRFU performance director David Nucifora said: "I would like to thank Joy for her