Sara Cox, the world’s first professional female rugby union referee, is set to retire from international officiating after a groundbreaking career. The Exeter official has refereed 51 international matches—the most by a female referee—including five Women’s Rugby World Cups and last year’s quarter-final between New Zealand and South Africa at Sandy Park.
Cox became centrally contracted by the RFU in 2016 and has also officiated at the Commonwealth Games, Six Nations, Women’s WXV, and the Olympic Games, including the rugby sevens final in Tokyo. She continues to referee in Premiership Women’s Rugby and men’s Premiership matches.
Awarded an MBE in 2023 for services to rugby union, Cox described her international retirement as the right moment to focus on other interests while remaining involved domestically. RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney hailed her as a pioneer and inspiration, breaking barriers for female match officials worldwide.
