ODE TO JOY
France, Italy players make wonderful gesture to Joy Neville after Ireland’s legend’s final match as Six Nations referee
She first took up the whistle in 2016, three years after retiring from playing
JOY NEVILLE was embraced by the France and Italy players after refereeing her final game in the Six Nations.
The former Ireland international was officiating a match for the last time before hanging up the whistle.
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Her last game saw Le Bleus hammer the Azzurri 38-15 on Sunday to join England in having a perfect record in the competition thus far.
When the final whistle blew, members of both teams embraced Neville as she closed the latest chapter in her iconic career.
She first took up the whistle in 2016, three years after retiring from playing.
As a player, the former Munster back row won 70 caps for Ireland and captained to the 2013 Six Nations Grand Slam while also playing at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups.
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In 2017, she refereed the Rugby World Cup final between New Zealand and England, and was named World Rugby Referee of the Year the same year.
And in 2023, she became the first female to officiate at a Men's Rugby World Cup, having previously been the first female TMO in the men's Six Nations in 2021.
Her final match as a referee took place in front of family who had travelled to Paris for the occasion.
And speaking to the IRFU ahead of the game, Neville explained that she was retiring in order to spend more time with her wife Simona and son Alfie.
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She said: "Why now? Family reasons. I have a two-and-a-half-year-old and being away over 230, 240 days last year means my wife has been totally selfless in supporting us as a family.
"I was away for nearly nine weeks for the Women's World Cup. They didn't get to come over and I didn't get to come home.
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"It's a massive commitment and its definitely been worth it.
"As a player, when I retired, one of the reasons was to give back to my friends and family and it is the reason why I'm retiring now. It's the right moment.
"There's no better place than Paris. It's a special place. Alfie's never seen me referee in person, he's always seen me on TV. It will be great for him to be there.
"I've already anticipated that I'm going to be quite emotional, especially during the national anthems, because what it represents is over 20 years of involvement in the game as a player, as a referee, and what I have done and what I've achieved.
"It isn't really just me. It's the support of my family and friends, especially my wife Simona because she's my rock, she's put in the graft to look after family when I'm away, but more so being that shoulder to lean on when I needed it.
"I think it will be very special for us as a family, and a very proud moment because it hasn't always been easy.
"Certainly, there's been massive learnings from most of the experiences I've come across and some wonderful moments, but it hasn't always been easy, and I want to celebrate ever single moment that I've had."