Referee great calls time on career
NEWS: World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson has led the tributes to England’s Sara Cox, who announced her retirement from refereeing on the international stage.
A pioneer for female match officials, Cox was the world’s first professional female referee, the only female referee to take charge of 50 tests and was awarded an MBE for services to rugby in 2023 in recognition of her inspirational achievements in the game.
Cox retires after her fifth Women’s Rugby World Cup, having been selected for the 2017, 2021 and 2025 editions as an Emirates World Rugby Referee. Cox became the first female referee to take charge of 50 tests with Japan’s 29-21 victory over Spain in York during Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 last September.
That saw her become only the 16th official in history to reach the half-century with her last match in the middle being the RWC 2025 quarterfinal between New Zealand and South Africa in her hometown of Exeter on September 13.
Cox’s impressive CV on the international stage includes 11 Women’s Six Nations, three Women’s Rugby World Cups, two Olympic Games as well as one Commonwealth Games and one Rugby World Cup Sevens. She has also played a leading role in numerous laws and Shape of the Game forums, advancing the sport on and off the field.
Sara Cox said: “I feel very privileged to have officiated at the highest level of the global game for over a decade. Rugby has given me amazing experiences but after the high of a home World Cup, now feels like the right time to hang up my international boots and spend some time on other interests while continuing to give my all to the club game.
“I’d like to thank everyone who has supported my career, I wouldn’t be where I am without the amazing team around me and a group of fantastic colleagues both in England and when travelling around the world.
“But most of all I’d like to thank my friends and family – particularly my mum who has always been my biggest supporter. Being able to referee a game in Exeter, my hometown, during this summer’s World Cup was a moment of real pride and amazing to do so in front of people who’ve championed me in my career but not always been able to travel to the far-flung places I’ve worked.
“I look forward to continuing to referee in our domestic leagues and hopefully continuing to encourage other women to see match officiating as a role for them.”
World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson added: “On behalf of World Rugby, I would like to congratulate Sara on a stellar career.
Sara is one of the great international referees – a pioneer, who has done it all. Five Women’s Rugby World Cups, as well as Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games and Rugby World Cup Sevens. Her professionalism, determination and infectious enthusiasm played a significant role in driving forward standards within international refereeing.
“Beyond the incredible achievements on the international stage, Sara will always be the inspirational trailblazer who paved the way for a new generation of men and women to take up the whistle. Thank you for the memories and your enormous contribution to our great game. We wish you all the best as a new chapter begins.”
World Rugby Women’s High Performance Referee Manager Alhambra Nievas, who refereed alongside Cox in both seven and 15s, said: “Sara is one of refereeing’s big personalities. Fun, passionate and professional, she has been at the heart of a journey that has paved the way for many women to take up the whistle and push through to the international section.
“Her achievements speak for themselves, but it’s her work behind the scenes, the standards she sets and the drive to perform that have been the hallmark of a stellar international career. Sara departs with our sincere thanks and best wishes.”
