Sara Cox is set to make history on Sunday when she referees the Premiership Rugby Cup fixture between Wasps and Northampton.
After taking charge of the Cornish Pirates vs. Doncaster Knights Championship clash in March, the 28-year-old will now become the first woman to officiate a match between two English top-flight teams.
The BBC reports that Cox became a referee when her own playing career was cut short because of injury. Then in March 2016 she earned a central contract with the Rugby Football Union (RFU).
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Having previously officiated the Commonwealth Games and Rugby World Cup sevens finals, The Daily Telegraph predicts that her appointment for Sunday’s cup clash is a “clear indicator that it will not be long until Cox takes charge of a full Premiership fixture”.
Breakthrough weekend
The RFU website calls this weekend a “breakthrough” for women in rugby. As well as Cox refereeing Sunday’s cup game at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry, three other female officials will take on prominent roles.
Tomorrow night Clare Daniels will be an assistant referee as Bristol Bears take on Gloucester Rugby at Ashton Gate and Danae Zamboulis will be the citing officer at the Leicester Tigers vs. Worcester Warriors game on Saturday.
Then also on Sunday Claire Hodnett will be the TMO in the live TV game between Harlequins and Newcastle Falcons at the Stoop.
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