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Investec Champions Cup

EPCR statement: Referee appointments for Champions Cup Round of 16

Wayne Barnes /PA

The EPCR have revealed their referee appointments ahead of the first leg of the Heineken Champions Cup Round of 16 which takes place next month.

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History will be made in early April as for the first time ever the new Heineken Champions Cup Round of 16 fixtures will be played over two legs.

The EPCR have released the refereeing appointments.

A statement read: “Ahead of next month’s resumption of its tournaments and following a meeting of a selection committee chaired by EPCR’s Head of Match Officials, Tony Spreadbury, EPCR can announce the referee appointments for the Heineken Champions Cup Round of 16 1st leg fixtures and for the matches in Round 5 of the EPCR Challenge Cup.

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Chris Ashton | Rugby Roots

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Chris Ashton | Rugby Roots

England’s Wayne Barnes will be in charge when Stade Toulousain continue the defence of their Heineken Champions Cup title against Ulster at Le Stadium on Saturday, 9 April, while on the same day, Mathieu Raynal of France will be in the middle for the clash of Sale Sharks and Bristol Bears at the AJ Bell Stadium again live on BT Sport with additional free-to-air coverage on Channel 4 and Virgin Media in the UK and Ireland.

Also on Saturday, 9 April, the eagerly-anticipated 1st leg meeting of former champions, Exeter Chiefs and Munster Rugby, at Sandy Park will be refereed by France’s Pierre Brousset, while Matthew Carley and Luke Pearce of England have been appointed for the all-TOP 14 contests between Union Bordeaux-Bègles and Stade Rochelais, and Stade Francais Paris and Racing 92 respectively.

Andrew Brace of Ireland will be in charge of Harlequins’ visit to Montpellier Hérault Rugby on Sunday, 10 April, and Georgia’s Nika Amashukeli will referee the head-to-head between ASM Clermont Auvergne and Gallagher Premiership leaders, Leicester Tigers, at Stade Marcel-Michelin.

The Round of 16 1st leg matches get underway on Friday, 8 April with the all-Irish meeting of Connacht Rugby and Leinster Rugby at The Sportsground which will be refereed by Karl Dickson of England.

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Round 5 of the EPCR Challenge Cup also resumes on Friday, 8 April with the conclusion of the pool stage and England’s Sara Cox is set to referee the Pool C clash between Edinburgh Rugby and Section Paloise at the DAM Health Stadium while Mike Adamson of Scotland will be in the middle when CA Brive host Saracens at Stade Amédée Domenech in the same pool.

Heineken Champions Cup – Round of 16 first leg
(all kick-offs local times)
Friday 8 April
Connacht Rugby v Leinster Rugby, The Sportsground (20.00)
BT Sport / beIN SPORTS
Saturday 9 April
Sale Sharks v Bristol Bears, AJ Bell Stadium (13.00)
Channel 4 / Virgin Media / BT Sport / beIN SPORTS
Union Bordeaux-Bègles v Stade Rochelais, venue TBC (14.00)
beIN SPORTS / BT Sport
Stade Toulousain v Ulster Rugby, Le Stadium (16.15)
beIN SPORTS / FR 2 / BT Sport
Exeter Chiefs v Munster Rugby, Sandy Park (17.30)
BT Sport / beIN SPORTS
Stade Francais Paris v Racing 92, Stade Jean Bouin (18.30)
beIN SPORTS / BT Sport
Sunday 10 April
Montpellier Hérault Rugby v Harlequins, GGL Stadium (14.00)
beIN SPORTS / BT Sport
ASM Clermont Auvergne v Leicester Tigers, Stade Marcel-Michelin (16.15)
beIN SPORTS / FR 2 / BT Sport

Heineken Champions Cup – Round of 16 second leg
Friday 15 April
Leinster Rugby v Connacht Rugby, Aviva Stadium (17.30)
BT Sport / beIN SPORTS
Bristol Bears v Sale Sharks, Ashton Gate (20.00)
BT Sport / beIN SPORTS
Saturday 16 April
Harlequins v Montpellier Hérault Rugby, Twickenham Stoop (12.30)
Channel 4 / Virgin Media / BT Sport / beIN SPORTS
Munster Rugby v Exeter Chiefs, Thomond Park (15.00)
BT Sport / beIN SPORTS
Stade Rochelais v Union Bordeaux-Bégles, Stade Marcel Deflandre (16.00)
FR 2 / beIN SPORTS / BT Sport
Leicester Tigers v ASM Clermont Auvergne, Mattioli Woods Welford Road (17.30)
BT Sport / beIN SPORTS / FR 4
Ulster Rugby v Stade Toulousain, Kingspan Stadium (20.00)
BT Sport / beIN SPORTS
Sunday 17 April
Racing 92 v Stade Francais Paris, Paris La Défense Arena (16.30)
beIN SPORTS / BT Sport

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Latest Features

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Comments on RugbyPass

C
Carlos 24 minutes ago
'Passionate reunion of France and New Zealand shows Fabien Galthie is wrong to rest his stars'

While we were living in Belgium, French rugby was very easy to watch on tv and YouTube. Given the ghastly weather, riding indoors on a trainer and watching French rugby was a very passable experience. I became quite a fan.


Interestingly, last week in Buenos Aires I shared a table with a couple from Toulouse, who were at the Toulon game themselves, and were curious how much I knew about French club rugby. I explained the Brussels weather. They smiled and understood.


Now back in CA, biking again.

295 Go to comments
C
Carlos 29 minutes ago
'Passionate reunion of France and New Zealand shows Fabien Galthie is wrong to rest his stars'

Based on the last FWCs, the French team is quite good.

295 Go to comments
P
PA 35 minutes ago
David Campese takes back his Joe Schmidt coaching Australia criticism

Totally agree.

It could be that Australia may not have top Coaches coaching at the elite level around the world? Only the ARU can answer that question. My prediction is Australia will beat Scotland and Ireland. Schmidt has now got the right players and tools to develop Australia into a formidable XV.

19 Go to comments
R
RW 1 hour ago
Let's be real about these All Blacks

Agreed. As a Saffa I have much respect for the ABs. I also have to say given any option I would ONLY prefer to lose to ABs. To lose to England is probably the most embarrassing think to happen to either of us.


There was a time when both of us lost to England and we both hated it. Thankfully those days are behind us. Kudos to you guys, kudos to ABs. But dear old BS seems to hate us Boks. No idea why.

28 Go to comments
S
SC 1 hour ago
Let's be real about these All Blacks

In his first season, Razor has sorted through his forward pack and now has the starters and bench depth good enough to defeat any team in the world, including the Springboks, when they play to their ability. I'm sure he knows next season his best back row is Savea- Sititi- Lakai and just needs to settle on who wears which jersey.


I'm also sure Razor knows his weakness still the 10-12-13 axis and he needs to introduce 2 or 3 new midfielders. J. Barrett and Ioane just do not work well together in attack. One or both need to be dropped from the centers. And its time to put ALB and Havili out to pasture.


Hopefully two or more of Lam, Tupaua, Higgins, Macleod, and Proctor have outstanding Super Rugby seasons and demand a starting spot at 12 or 13.


Whoever thought that 10 would be the weakest position in NZ Rugby. I don't have a clue who is capable of a massive boost in their performance and earn selection from the current 10s playing for the NZ Super franchises and capable of taking a spot from Barrett or McKenzie.

28 Go to comments
E
Ed the Duck 1 hour ago
Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones

I got the sense that holding him to it was kickback from SB and the rfu smarting at being jilted quite so soon, so unexpectedly and so publicly.


Seem to remember that they spoke to Gustard before appointing Joe and you really have to think he would have come in at a higher level?

11 Go to comments
R
RW 1 hour ago
Let's be real about these All Blacks

This article highlights exactly the problem with Ben Smith's view of the ABs. In the past an almost win was unthinkable, it was unheard of and anyone saying "It's fine because given the right circumstances we would have won" would never be heard from again.


The fact that Ben Smith is trying to justify the ABs losses by saying they were almost wins shows how far the ABs have slipped from their peak with Richie McCaw and Co.


Also Richie and friends would have settled a rare loss by winning comfortably the next round.


Now dear Ol' BS is spouting ridiculous statements by saying the other teams were no good. Funny how the teams that were no good somehow managed to beat the 'best team' in Ben Smith's world.

Hm makes you wonder doesn't it?

28 Go to comments
F
Flankly 1 hour ago
Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones

Yes. Departure of good coaches for no externally visible reason. Not even a cover story. Could be a major rugby disagreement or a compensation issue. Or maybe it's about an interventionist RFU administration. Whatever the reason it does look like a raised middle finger.

11 Go to comments
D
DP 1 hour ago
Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones

Jacques Nienabers blitz defensive system. Jones brought in to implement Nienabers system.

11 Go to comments
D
DP 1 hour ago
Johan Ackermann returns to SA in new coaching role

No. He’s needed back home. Potential future Bok coach once Rassie gets tired and retires. Ackerman is key to sourcing and unlocking future talent. What a score for SA rugby.

3 Go to comments
C
CV 1 hour ago
Junior Kpoku snubs England approach to extend Top 14 deal - report

Since 2016, France only select players who are French citizens unless selected on residency earlier. Only Atonio is left of that group. JIFF just means they're not counted as foreign players. Meafou became eligible after he obtained his citizenship.

8 Go to comments
D
DrinkAwayTheConcussion 1 hour ago
Five changes for the All Blacks, including the return of Sam Cane

Well at least he didn’t pick Chay Fihaki. There’s a positive.

9 Go to comments
B
BM 1 hour ago
Italy vs New Zealand | Live & Latest Rugby Union Scores & Results | RugbyPass

BRING IT ALL ON ITALY! CAN'T WAIT!🤩😎🙃

2 Go to comments
F
Flankly 1 hour ago
The Springboks confirm one change made to team named on Tuesday

100%. I guess that's why Rassie was willing to depower the starters in jerseys 1-10. The Ox decision makes a huge difference. Big surprise, if it's not forced.

5 Go to comments
H
Hellhound 1 hour ago
Let's be real about these All Blacks

Another click bait BS article from a BS person. Pathetic really.

28 Go to comments
N
NB 1 hour ago
Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones

Its primitive to say the least Ed [Joe's D]


Ppl are saying that there is a willingness to let Joe work his way into international rugby but he's starting from a helluva lot lower base than Felix was. Atm the defensive side is crippling England's game, which winds us back to why Felix resigned when he did. I don't really understand the 12 month release clause either, surely it cannot be comfortable if he's looking over Joe and the players' shoulder from afar?

11 Go to comments
N
NB 1 hour ago
Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones

I think it's the least likely possibility Ed.

11 Go to comments
H
Hellhound 1 hour ago
‘Took the Springboks…’: Why Scotland are favourites for Australia clash

Scotland should win this one, considering they are the settled team compared to Australia. However, that is no guarantee that they will win. The Aussies tails is up, and they are throwing everything at the opposition.


When the Aussie fans cracked up and got angry when Joe Schmidt was appointed, I said to them to be patient, that he will get them on the right track. They said that he is not Australian and he won nothing. Second best. I should mind my own business because I don't know the Aussie ways, which is true as I'm SA.


However, now that he is bringing in results, they are all changing their minds. Joe is all in when he coaches a team. There is no team he supports more than the team he coaches. His quality is shining through properly now.


It's going to be a very tight game, much tighter than people realise. Both teams is playing exciting rugby right now. They both want to win. I'd even go as far as marking this game as the top game of the weekend.

3 Go to comments
M
MG 1 hour ago
How leviathan Will Skelton and the Wallabies reversed the World Cup fiasco

I was at that game and it wasn’t pleasant. Wales, the team, as well as the gracious Welsh fans, will always have my respect.

180 Go to comments
M
MG 1 hour ago
How leviathan Will Skelton and the Wallabies reversed the World Cup fiasco

This comment is totally rational and not insane.

180 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones
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