England star to make international officiating debut in Vegas Test

Former England hooker Tara Jones is set to make her international debut as a match official in Las Vegas less than 18 months after her last Test appearance.

Jones, who played 14 Tests for England, has been appointed as a touch judge for this weekend’s historic women’s international between Australia and England international at Allegiant Stadium.

The appointment follows the 28-year-old’s decision to turn down an opportunity to be a member of the officiating squad for the last World Cup in 2022 in a bid to win selection for England.

After hanging up her boots at the end of last season, Jones became the first woman to join the RFL’s full-time panel of match officials.

Jones has been playing since a young age and took up refereeing after turning 12 and no longer being able to play alongside boys, as there weren’t always enough girls to form a team.

She has since gone on to referee Challenge Cup matches and been a touch judge in Super League, while helping St Helens to claim the Super League premiership and Challenge Cup in 2021, and representing England in 15 Tests.

Her most recent Test appearance was against France in 2023.

Jones said she drew inspiration from the appointment of NRL referees Belinda Sharpe and Kasey Badger to control men's fixtures at the World Cup in England.

Sharpe refereed the England v Greece match, while Badger became the first woman to control a men’s international when she was given charge of the Wales v Tonga clash.  

“When I saw it announced that Kasey was refereeing the game and she was the first [female], and then Belinda followed, I just thought this is phenomenal,” Jones told NRL.com.

“There has just been such great progress in the game and more females being in the spotlight.

“I know the women’s game from a playing point of view is progressing massively and that has kind of taken off, but also from an officiating point of view it is just showing that the game is so inclusive and that girls can go and do it too.

“I was really made up for Kasey and Belinda and proud of them because I just think we are setting the pathway for future girls as officials, or just in the game in general.

“It shows other girls you can go and do it as well.”

Jones will share the stage at Allegiant Stadium with Sharpe, who will referee the Test match, and Liam Moore, who will run the other line.