Photo: Courtesy
World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson has led tributes to England’s Sara Cox, who has announced her retirement from international refereeing after more than a decade at the top of the game.
A true trailblazer, Cox was the world’s first professional female referee, the only woman to take charge of 50 test matches, and was awarded an MBE in 2023 for her services to rugby.
Her retirement follows her fifth Women’s Rugby World Cup, having officiated at the 2017, 2021 and 2025 editions as an Emirates World Rugby Referee.
She reached her landmark 50th test during the 2025 tournament when Japan beat Spain 29–21 in York, becoming only the 16th referee in history to hit that milestone. Her final international assignment came weeks later in Exeter, overseeing the quarter-final between New Zealand and South Africa in front of her hometown supporters.
Cox’s distinguished résumé includes officiating at 11 Women’s Six Nations Championships, three Rugby World Cups, two Olympic Games including the Tokyo 2020 women’s gold medal match as well as the Commonwealth Games and Rugby World Cup Sevens.
She also refereed more than 100 matches on the Women’s Sevens Series and played a key role in World Rugby’s laws and game-shaping forums.
Reflecting on her decision, Cox said it felt like the right moment to “hang up my international boots” while continuing to contribute to the domestic game.
Robinson praised her as an “inspirational trailblazer” whose professionalism and passion elevated global refereeing standards. World Rugby’s Alhambra Nievas added that Cox’s influence, on and off the field, will leave a lasting legacy for future generations of match officials.
English