Scotland’s Hollie Davidson will become the first woman to referee a men’s Six Nations match when Ireland host Italy on 14 February. The 33-year-old is no stranger to landmark achievements, having become Scottish Rugby’s first full-time female referee in 2017 and the first woman to referee a New Zealand Test in November, when they beat Wales 52-26 in Cardiff.
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South Africa’s 13-year wait for a win in Dublin is over, with the world champions proving their credentials with a 24-13 win against Ireland after a remarkable game at Aviva Stadium. In truth, this was a game the Springboks could and should have won by 30, and as humbling as the defeat will be for Andy Farrell’s side, they showed remarkable resilience to bring this game the distance.
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Mack Hansen scored a superb first-half hat-trick to help lift Ireland to a comprehensive win over Australia in an entertaining Test at Aviva Stadium. Starting an Ireland game at full-back for the first time, Canberra-born Hansen starred in a slick Irish attack on his return from a foot injury with three tries inside the opening 30 minutes. The Wallabies – coached by former Ireland boss Joe Schmidt – stayed in touch at half-time thanks to Len Ikitau and Fraser McReight tries.
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New Zealand’s All Blacks earned their Chicago revenge on Saturday with a 26-13 victory at Soldier Field after a highly controversial Tadhg Beirne 20-minute red card. Beirne was dismissed for a third-minute high tackle on Beauden Barrett, for which he was shown yellow on the field of play but saw it surprisingly upgraded to red after a bunker review. Andy Farrell’s side initially responded superbly but a second half fightback turned the game on its head.
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