Holly Wood to referee Premiership Women's Rugby final between Saracens and Trailfinders just 86 days after giving birth - 'The pinnacle'

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Holly Wood will referee the Premiership Women’s Rugby final on Sunday just 86 days after giving birth to her second child. Wood’s daughter Adaline was born on April 3 and she returned to officiating duties seven weeks later, picking up the whistle for the Big Pink Weekend at the end of May.

Highlights: Trailfinders stun defending champions Gloucester-Hartpury to make PWR final

Video credit: TNT Sports

She has now been selected to take charge of the showpiece game between Saracens and Trailfinders as the two sides battle to claim the trophy.

The season-defining clash takes place at Twickenham Stoop on Sunday at 15:00 UK time, live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

”I am very passionate about the women’s game, having been so involved in it for so many years,” Wood said.

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”It is the pinnacle. We are the best league in the world and it is an honour and a privilege to be given the whistle for this game.

”I understand the weight and history of the league and I want to do a good job to do the game a service.

”I always had the PWR final in the back of my mind. I went to the World Cup last summer, and I found out I was pregnant three weeks before that.

”During the World Cup, I wanted my selection, especially in the knockout stages, to be purely on my performance and not related to anything else that was going on externally.

”I have officiated in 33 games this season, so it doesn’t feel like I have had a season out at all, which is amazing.”

Wood kept her pregnancy to herself last year during the World Cup and continued in her work up to 20 weeks before working as an assistant until the end of her second trimester.

She also had a fast return to action after having her son Huxley three years ago, returning to the pitch after eight weeks.

Wood made her return one week faster this time, officiating at a Division One County Cup match following careful consideration.

”I did a 5k run the day before my due date and that kicked me into labour, and she came on her due date, which was pretty cool,” she said.

”I had a really straightforward and rapid birth as well. I knew I was in a good place because I did a fitness test at 34 weeks and got a pretty good score, but it was just how my rehab would go.

Highlights: Saracens get the better of Exeter Chiefs in thriller to reach PWR final

Video credit: TNT Sports

”Every baby is different in terms of sleeping and their needs, but with the support of my husband and family around us, it has enabled me to have the time to rest and rehab, as well as soaking in that newborn bubble."

Trailfinders are looking to complete a sensational season at Twickenham Stoop after stunning three-time champions Gloucester-Hartpury to reach the final for the first time.

Sarries go into the game as big favourites, having won all six of their meetings in the past three years, but were pushed hard in edging Exeter Chiefs 40-38 in their semi-final.

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Watch the 2026 PWR final live on TNT Sports and HBO Max

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