Jenny Davies to become first former Wales player to referee international match

Former Wales front row Jenny Davies will create a little piece of Welsh rugby history when she runs out onto a pitch in Barcelona on Saturday.

The Caernarfon referee, affectionately known as 'Treacle', will become Wales' first ex-international to take charge of an international game.

Davies has been appointed for the Women's Championship match between Portugal and Spain.

"I am very honoured that I've been given this opportunity," Davies said.

"I'm trying to not let my feelings get too overwhelmed because I know through playing that if my emotions get too much then that impacts my performance.

"I just keep telling myself it's just another game of rugby."

She will be assisted by Sarah Toll and Ceri Parry and together they make up a first all-female team of Welsh officials.

Davies made the shift from the front row to centre stage in 2018, with her knowledge of the game seeing her rise through the refereeing ranks.

The full-time college teacher regularly takes charge of men's Welsh championship matches and was on the whistle in last year's women's finals day at the Principality Stadium.

She has also been refereeing in the recent Celtic Challenge matches.

Davies follows in the footsteps of Ireland's history maker Joy Neville, who she enjoyed many a battle with during their international playing days.

Davies has nothing but admiration for Neville as well as the game's other trailblazers Sara Cox and Holly Davidson.

"I just look at them and think they are amazing, they have stood up in a male dominated field and been like 'I can do this too'.

"It's lovely that they've generated these paths for other women to follow."

Davies herself is also inspiring the next generation, notably former Wales wing Jess Kavanagh who she used to coach.

"I was feeling lost when I stopped playing," said Kavanagh. "Treacle explained that refereeing would give me focus and allow me to stay in the game.

"It's been a great journey so far and Treacle is just a text and a phone call away.

"She's been very supportive and gives me advice when I need it."

Kavanagh was Davies' assistant in this season's Welsh Women's Premiership game between Cobra and Caernarfon.

"It was a great experience and I learned some tips," added Kavanagh.

"She inspired me to pick up the whistle and I wish her all the best in her first international match as a referee."

Davies admits she has had to tolerate some abuse during her refereeing career, but mostly from the side lines.

"It's never players, it's always people in the crowd," she said, "it just annoys me as they are there to support, be positive and embrace their team.

"At the end of the day they are only watching one team, I am having to watch two teams.

"I am going to make mistakes, but I will discuss it with that person afterwards and try and have an adult conversation."

Davies says she enjoys refereeing the men's game, with the former prop surprising some people with her ability to get around the park.

"It's funny, my assessor told me that I wasn't fast and then I started refereeing and he was like, 'When did you develop speed?'

"When it comes to refereeing the women I am not that far behind the wingers, they might be a little bit in front of me, but I'm not panicking. With men I'm like, 'Oh my God I've got to get there!'"

Looking to the future, Davies said: "I got 74 caps as a player and I would love to match that as a ref.

"I don't know if I've left it too late, I've just turned 42 but I still feel like I am in my late 20s.

"Rugby has meant everything to me, it has made me the person I am, it has giving me loads of different skills and opportunities."