Joy Neville to referee final match in Women's Six Nations before retiring

FINAL OUTING: Joy Neville will retire from officiating at the end of the current season and has taken up a new role as the new Referee Development Manager in Connacht. Pic: James Crombie, Inpho

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.

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

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 40-year-year-old will be in charge for France versus Italy in Paris on April 14, World Rugby announced.

Scottish referee Hollie Davidson, who became the first 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 March 23 when France host Ireland.