Hollie Davidson: Scottish referee to make Women's Six Nations debut

Hollie Davidson has been appointed to referee France v Italy in the Women's Six Nations

Hollie Davidson, the first professional female referee in Scottish rugby history, will make her Women's Six Nations debut in February.

Former Scotland Under-20 cap Davidson, 25, takes charge of France v Italy.

• Hollie Davidson - the pioneer with 'the whole refereeing package'

The Aboyne native has officiated on the Women's Sevens World Series and was an assistant referee in the Women's Rugby World Cup final in August.

She became Scotland's first contracted female referee in June, joining four male counterparts.

Davidson works under the stewardship of former Test referees Dave Pearson of England and South African Tappe Henning, who run Scottish Rugby's referees department.

Former Ireland captain and Six Nations Grand Slam winner Joy Neville became the first woman to referee a European professional club fixture on Friday, when she oversaw Bordeaux-Begles' Challenge Cup win over Enisey.

Neville takes charge of England Women's away fixtures against Scotland and France respectively.

Sara Cox, England's first centrally contracted referee, has the whistle for Ireland v Wales and Italy v Scotland.

Fellow RFU official Ian Tempest will referee Ireland's matches against France and Scotland.

Beatrice Benvenuti of Italy, Spain's Alhambra Nievas, Canadian Rose LaBreche, Aimee Barrett-Theron of South Africa and Frenchwoman Marie Lematte have been allocated one Women's Six Nations game apiece.

Tim Baker of Hong Kong, Ireland's Sean Gallagher and Australian Graham Cooper also referee a match each.