Champions Cup and Challenge Cup quarter-final match officials announced as Karl Dickson handed Leinster v La Rochelle
Karl Dickson refereeing a Champions Cup game.
The match officials for the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup quarter-finals have been announced, with Karl Dickson given the Leinster v La Rochelle game.
Appointed by a committee chaired by the organiser’s Head of Match Officials, Tony Spreadbury, the selected referees, assistant referees and TMOs are now confirmed.
One of the standout clashes of the weekend is that Leinster v La Rochelle showdown in Dublin on Saturday and Englishman Dickson gets the coveted nod as referee. Luke Pearce and Andrew Jackson will assist Dickson while the English connection is completed by Tom Foley as the TMO in what is a repeat of the last two finals.
Andrea Piardi in Bordeaux
On the same day, the quarter-final action in the Investec Champions Cup will start with the game between Bordeaux-Begles and Harlequins at Stade Chaban-Delmas, which will be refereed by Andrea Piardi. Federico Vedovelli and Gianluca Gnecchi are his assistants while Stefano Penne is the TMO in an all-Italian panel.
Also on Saturday, Mathieu Raynal has been appointed to referee what promises to be an intriguing clash between an in-form Northampton Saints and the Bulls at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens, with the all-French team completed by Ludovic Cayre and Luc Ramos (assistant referees) and Thomas Charabas (TMO).
The Investec Champions Cup quarter-finals will conclude on Sunday when Chris Busby of Ireland will be on the whistle for the tie which pits number-one ranked Toulouse against Exeter Chiefs at Stade Ernest-Wallon. Eoghan Cross and Andy Brace will be the assistant referees for that clash while Mark Patton is the TMO.
Challenge Cup appointments
The EPCR Challenge Cup quarter-finals get underway on Friday when Pierre Brousset (France) takes charge of the clash between Gloucester and Ospreys at Kingsholm.
Then on Saturday, the Sharks v Edinburgh and Clermont against Ulster matches will be refereed by Matthew Carley and Christophe Ridley (both England) respectively.
On Sunday, Mike Adamson of Scotland has been appointed for the Benetton v Connacht showdown at Stadio di Monigo. Scotland’s Hollie Davidson will be the TMO.
Champions Cup quarter-final match officials
Saturday
Bordeaux-Begles v Harlequins
Kick-off: 16:00 local (15:00 BST)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Ita)
Assistant Referees: Federico Vedovelli (Ita), Gianluca Gnecchi (Ita)
TMO: Stefano Penne (Ita)
Leinster v La Rochelle
Kick-off: 17:30 BST
Referee: Karl Dickson (Eng)
Assistant Referees: Luke Pearce (Eng), Andrew Jackson (Eng)
TMO: Tom Foley (Eng)
Northampton Saints v Bulls
Kick-off: 20:00 BST
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (Fra)
Assistant Referees: Ludovic Cayre (Fra), Luc Ramos (Fra)
TMO: Thomas Charabas (Fra)
Sunday
Toulouse v Exeter Chiefs
Kick-off: 16:00 local (15:00 BST)
Referee: Chris Busby (Ire)
Assistant Referees: Eoghan Cross (Ire), Andy Brace (Ire)
TMO: Mark Patton (Ire)
Challenge Cup quarter-final match officials
Friday
Gloucester v Ospreys
Kick-off: 20:00 BST
Referee: Pierre Brousset (Fra)
Assistant Referees: Tual Trainini (Fra), Jeremy Rozier (Fra)
TMO: Denis Grenouillet (Fra)
Saturday
Clermont v Ulster
Kick-off: 13:30 local (12:30 BST)
Referee: Christophe Ridley (Eng)
Assistant Referees: Joe James (Eng), Hamish Smales (Eng)
TMO: Dean Richards (Eng)
Sharks v Edinburgh
Kick-off: 13:30 local (12:30 BST)
Referee: Matthew Carley (Eng)
Assistant Referees: Anthony Woodthorpe (Eng), Adam Leal (Eng)
TMO: Ian Tempest (Eng)
Sunday
Benetton v Connacht
Kick-off: 13:30 local (12:30 BST)
Referee: Mike Adamson (Sco)
Assistant Referees: Ruairidh Campbell (Sco), Sam Grove-White (Sco)
TMO: Hollie Davidson (Sco)
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