# The England player turned World Cup referee

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/the-england-player-turned-world-cup-referee/
- Published: 2026-11-05T13:28:37+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-05T14:53:34+00:00
- Original publisher: BBC Sport (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/articles/c6ly377gx8l1o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
- Topics: Sport, UK, World

## Key points

- Tara Jones moves from England player to World Cup semi-final referee.
- She won 13 England caps and made history in men’s Super League.
- The 30-year-old has refereed three matches at her first major tournament.

## Summary

Tara Jones will referee the Women’s Rugby League World Cup semi-final between New Zealand and Samoa, four years after playing for England against New Zealand at the same stage. Her appointment marks another milestone in a career that has moved from the pitch to the highest levels of officiating.

Jones, 30, won 13 England caps and enjoyed major success with St Helens, including a Super League title and four Challenge Cups. She became the first woman to referee a men’s Super League match in March and was made an MBE for services to rugby league. At this World Cup, her first major international tournament, she has already officiated three matches.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.