Owen Doyle has delivered a comprehensive verdict on Hollie Davidson’s history-making outing during Ireland’s 20–13 Six Nations win over Italy at the Aviva Stadium.
Davidson became the first woman to referee a men’s Six Nations match, earning her appointment on merit. But according to Doyle, while the occasion was significant, the performance itself was mixed.
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“A Very Good” Opening 40
Doyle was clear in his praise for Davidson’s first-half display.
“The first half was, by any metric, a very good performance by Davidson,” he wrote in his column for The Irish Times.
He felt the major decisions before the break were correct, including the sin-binning of Italy wing Louis Lynagh.
“Italy’s Louis Lynagh was rightly binned for a deliberate knock-on as he had no chance of catching the ball.”
Doyle also supported the yellow card shown to Ireland scrum-half Craig Casey for an upright tackle.
“While it might have looked a harsh call and the degree of danger was not high, Casey needed to make some effort to position himself for a legal tackle.”
In Doyle’s view, both incidents were refereed in line with current directives around player safety and cynical play.
Rising Temper and Breakdown Confusion
The second half, however, was a different story.
“As we got into the second half, the temperature rose and tempers frayed.”
Doyle suggested the increasing physicality and niggle made the contest harder to manage, and he hinted that Ireland lock James Ryan’s behaviour may not go unnoticed.
“In this respect, James Ryan may well be heading for trouble as his attempts to provoke the opposition were totally out of order.”
Breakdown decisions became a talking point, particularly from Ireland’s perspective.
“With the intensity ratcheting up, we saw a few incorrect and questionable decisions.”
He added that Ireland captain Caelan Doris had legitimate grounds for his frustrations.
“Two or three breakdown calls perplexed Irish captain Caelan Doris. He had a point.”
TMO Intervention Under Fire
The most contentious moment arrived when Italy were denied a try after TMO Ian Tempest ruled that a pass from Tommaso Menoncello to Lynagh was forward. Doyle did not hold back in his criticism.
“The scoring pass from the superb Tommaso Menoncello to Lynagh was called forward, ruling out the try.”
He described the TMO’s involvement as unnecessary.
“It was an unnecessary intrusion by TMO Ian Tempest, who should have stayed silent.”
Doyle argued that the visual of the ball crossing the 22-metre line misled viewers and officials alike.
“The passed ball crossed the 22-metre line, making it appear as being forward.”
But, he insisted, that alone proves nothing.
“As Isaac Newton’s law of momentum tells us, that has nothing to do with it.”
He continued:
“Nor did we see evidence of the ball being delivered forward out of Menoncello’s hands.”
In Doyle’s assessment, the call falls squarely into the wrong-decision column.
“Italy clearly have a very genuine gripe on this one – it goes into the poor-decision category.”
Overall Assessment
Doyle reiterated that Davidson deserved her appointment but believes the game ultimately slipped from her grasp in the second period.
A composed and accurate first-half display was followed by mounting pressure, breakdown inconsistencies and a controversial TMO intervention that left Italy aggrieved.
For Doyle, it was a tale of two halves — a “very good” start overshadowed by costly second-half errors.
Best Rugby Referees in the World (Ranked 10-1)
Every week, top rugby referees step into sold-out stadiums knowing their decisions will be analysed by players, coaches, pundits and fans across the globe. It’s one of the toughest jobs in professional sport — demanding accuracy, authority, fitness and mental resilience.
While controversy often follows the whistle, the world’s best rugby referees consistently prove why they’re trusted with the biggest fixtures.
Here is our ranking of the 10 best rugby referees in the world, counting down from 10 to 1.
Best rugby referees:
10 Karl Dickson
A former Harlequins scrum-half, Dickson stepped into refereeing while still lacing up his boots. His rise through the English ranks was quick, leading to his first international appointment in 2020. His performances spark debate — some feel he occasionally lets matches slip — but his understanding of player behaviour and commitment to improving keep him respected among officials.
9 Mike Adamson
After finishing his playing career, Adamson chose refereeing over coaching, a decision that’s taken him from domestic competitions to the Rugby Championship. He’s calm, knowledgeable, and composed, though some question how he manages high-pressure moments.
As the first person to both play and referee in the Pro12, his career reflects perseverance and passion at rugby’s highest levels.
8 Matt Carley
Carley has built a distinguished career as one of rugby’s leading referees. Rising through the domestic ranks, he became a regular official at the top level of English rugby and earned appointments in major international competitions.
His calm authority, consistency, and ability to manage the game’s tempo have earned widespread respect across the sport.
7 James Doleman
From Dunedin school fields to international arenas, Doleman’s rise has been swift. Clear communication is his calling card, even if some observers feel he’s still growing into the very biggest stages.
Having already officiated major Test nations, his reputation for accuracy and confidence is expanding quickly.
6 Luke Pearce
Pearce’s progression has been smooth and steady. Starting at just 16, he earned early respect for his clarity and rapport with players.
Fans love how he lets games breathe, though others think he’s sometimes too lenient. His guiding-over-controlling philosophy has made him a regular pick for major internationals.
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