WRWC: Neville for the Final
She played for Ireland in two Women's World Cups (2006 and 2010) and now she is refereeing one. In all Joy Neville played 70 times for Ireland in an 11-year career that ended in 2013 when she captained Ireland to Six Nations victory.
That same year she started refereeing. Apart from being the first female to referee in the Ulster League Division 1A and to be an assistant referee in Rugby Europe's Challenge Cup, she has also referee in the Women's Six Nations, the competition in which she captained Ireland to victory.
Her assistants in the final are Graham Cooper of Western Australia and Hollie Davidson, Scotland's fist full-time, female referee. The TMO is the former Test referee who has become a top TMO – Simon McDowell if Northern Ireland)
Fixtures with Match Officials
11th Place
Japan vs Hong Kong
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadezweni (South Africa), Marie Lematte (France)
Television match official: Kevin Beggs (Ireland)
9th Place
Italy vs Spain
Referee: Sean Gallagher (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Ian Tempest (England), Rose LaBrèche
Television match official: Simon McDowell (Ireland)
7th Place
Ireland vs Wales
Referee: Claire Hodnett (England)
Assistant referees: Graham Cooper, Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
Television match official: David Grashoff (England)
5th Place
Australia vs Canada
Referee: Sara Cox (England)
Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadezweni (South Africa), Marie Lematte (France)
Television match official: Kevin Beggs (Ireland)
3rd Place
France vs USA
Referee: Tim Baker (Hong Kong)
Assistant referees: Alhambra Nievas (Spain), Beatrice Benvenuti (Italy)
Television match official: David Grashoff (England)
Final
England vs New Zealand
Referee: Joy Neville (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Graham Cooper (Australia), Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
Television match official: Simon McDowell (Ireland)
