Sara Cox MBE Steps Down: A Look Back at Her Rugby Refereeing Career

Sara was a pioneer for female match officials as the world’s first professional female referee when centrally contracted by the RFU in 2016 and was awarded an MBE for services to rugby in 2023 in recognition of her trailblazing efforts within the sport. She retires having officiated at the home Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, her fifth World Cup and third in the middle (2021 played in 2022 and 2017) after acting as an assistant referee in 2010 and 2014. In the 2025 tournament, while refereeing Japan v Spain, Cox became the first woman to referee 50 Test matches. Her international career has also seen her referee rugby sevens in two Olympics: 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, followed by Tokyo where she refereed the gold medal match. She has also refereed at the Commonwealth Games, Guinness Six Nations, WXV and numerous other international Test matches. “I feel very privileged to have officiated at the highest level of the global game for over a decade," said Cox. “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 last 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.” Bill Sweeney, RFU CEO, added: “Sara has been a true pioneer for match officials and an inspiration to so many. “Her professionalism, resilience and passion for the game have broken barriers and demonstrated the path to top level match officiating for women across the world. "She deserves huge plaudits for everything she’s achieved in her international career, and we are delighted that she will be continuing to contribute to the English game.”