Sam Matavesi scores Army Navy Credit Alligin Photography Date 30042022.jpg — Sara Cox (left) watches on as Sam Matavesi scores in the Army v Navy fixture at Twickenham (Picture: Alligin Photography).

Rugby Union

Army-Navy ref says fixture was 'probably one of the best experiences I've had'

Sara Cox has called officiating the Army v Navy clash "one of the best experiences" she's ever had.

The international referee was speaking in a special documentary that went behind the scenes of the Twickenham spectacle in April.

The footage shows Cox in communication with both Army and Navy teams to make sure the match ran smoothly.

Also revealed on the feature was that the officiating team highlighted the Navy's Sam Matavesi as a player to keep their eye on after his red card in the 2018 fixture.

The match ended with a dramatic late flurry from the Army which gave them victory.

Cox was the first female referee to take charge of a men's Army-Navy clash.

"I think the Army v Navy, to be quite honest, probably goes down as one of the best experiences I've ever had," said Cox.

"I knew going in that there are some names that I recognise. There are some people that have a personality that you recognise as well.

"It's about understanding how you can deal with those.

"They were serving their country. They serve their country in the background but there were doing that on that pitch.

"We all had a spectacle to invest in."

You can watch the full documentary on the World Rugby YouTube channel here. Alternatively, you can watch our highlights from the dramatic match above.