Three Welsh referees flew the flag for when they take control of Rugby Europe’s Women’s Championship match between Spain and Portugal at Pons Vens last weekend.

Spain ran out convincing 24-0 winners against their rivals with the match serving as a milestone with three Welsh officials taking charge.

Former Wales prop Jenny Davies from Erwood near Builth Wells created history by becoming the first Welsh international player to represent her country as a referee at the highest level.

To add extra kudos to the occasion, her assistants were Sarah Toll and Ceri Parry to complete an historic all-female team of three Welsh officials for the very first time.

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Capped 74 times by Wales as a loosehead prop, Davies took up the whistle in 2018 and has worked her way up through the ranks to earn her first opportunity at Test level.

“I was very privileged to play for my country, but to do it as a referee as well is simply gob smacking,” she said.

“The way I see it, we went out as a team which comforted me. It was so much easier working with people I know.”

WRU Community match officials lead Sean Brickell praised the Powys official, saying: “Jenny is a great ambassador for rugby in general, having, played coached and refereed, and the fact she will become a duel playing and refereeing international is very special.

“She’s also a good person and character off the field, which makes her very popular among her refereeing peers. Ceri and Sarah are fantastic servants to the community game in Wales too, and with all three officials being from North Wales it is testament to the support work that Rich Morgan and his coaching team dedicate to refereeing in the region.”

The women’s game continues to go from strength to strength in Powys with COBRA competing in the national league while Newtown and Builth Wells have also thriving girls sections with players going from each to play at a higher grade.

Teams are also operating in Welshpool while Llanidloes and Machynlleth also launched their own teams this season with a view to joining a league in the future as the women’s game continues to go from strength to strength.”