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History-making referee Joy Neville announces her retirement

By PA
Referee Joy Neville shows the yellow card to May Campbell during the TikTok Women's Six Nations match between Wales and England at Cardiff Arms Park on April 15, 2023 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Referee Joy Neville, the first woman to officiate at a men’s Rugby World Cup, has announced she will retire at the end of the season.

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The 40-year-old was selected as a television match official for last year’s tournament in France.

She oversaw five pool stage matches, including England’s 34-12 victory over Japan in Nice.

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Limerick-born Neville, a former Ireland captain, also refereed the Women’s Rugby World Cup final in 2017, when New Zealand defeated England 41-32 in Belfast.

She will take up a new role as referee development manager in Connacht, working to recruit and train referees.

“When I first took up the whistle after my playing career concluded, I could never have imagined the places the game would take me,” Neville said in a statement on the Irish Rugby Football Union’s website.

“To be involved in, firstly, the Women’s Rugby World Cup final was a huge honour and to then progress through to the Men’s Rugby World Cup made me incredibly proud and it’s only when I look back now that I can truly appreciate those achievements.”

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