EPCR Champions and Challenge Cup, Round One - Match official appointments

NEWS: EPCR has confirmed the teams of match officials who will take charge of the opening 21 fixtures of the 2026/27 Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup, with just over two weeks to go until the new season gets underway.

Referees from seven unions have been appointed for a blockbuster opening round from October 16 to 18, which will feature reigning champions, former winners and some of the biggest names in club rugby.

The appointments have been made by a selection committee chaired by EPCR Head of Match Officials, Tony Spreadbury, based on performance and a commitment to the highest standards of Officiating.

Spreadbury said:

“We are delighted with the high standards of Officiating and the performances of our match officials last season. These appointments reflect their consistency, professionalism and commitment to excellence across EPCR competitions.

“We are looking forward to seeing the officials take charge of some outstanding fixtures in Round 1 and to maintaining those high standards throughout the pool stage.”

Champions Cup

Friday, October 16

Gloucester v Union Bordeaux Begles

(Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester – Kick-off: 20.00 BST; 21.00 CEST; 19.00 GMT)

Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Franco Rosella (Italy), Dario Merli (Italy)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (Italy)

Saturday, October 17

Sale Sharks v Glasgow Warriors

(CorpAcq Stadium, Manchester – Kick-off: 13.00 BST; 12.00 GMT)

Referee: Craig Evans (Wales)
Assistant referees: Gareth Newman (Wales), Lucas Yendle (Wales)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)

Vodacom Bulls v Stade Francais

(Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria – Kick-off: 14.00 SAST; 14.00 CEST; 12.00 GMT)

Referee: Christoph Ridley (England)
Assistant referees: George Selwood (England), Jamie Parr (England)
TMO: Aled Griffiths (Wales)

ASM Clermont Auvergne v Leinster

(Stade Marcel-Michelin, Clermont – Kick-off: 16.15 CEST; 15.15 IST; 14.15 GMT)

Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
Assistant referees: Hamish Smales (England), Jonathan Healy (England)
TMO: Andrew Jackson (England)

DHL Stormers v Bristol Bears

(DHL Stadium, Cape Town – Kick-off: 16.15 SAST; 15.15 BST; 14.15 GMT)

Referee: Kevin Bralley (France)
Assistant referees: Vincent Blasco Baque (France), Flavien Hourquet (France)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)

Connacht v Saracens

(Dexcom Stadium, Galway – Kick-off: 17.30 IST; 17.30 BST; 16.30 GMT)

Referee: Pierre Brousset (France)
Assistant referees: Luc Ramos (France), Julien Caulier (France)
TMO: Tual Trainini (France)

Stade Rochelais v 10Bet Lions

(Stade Marcel Deflandre, La Rochelle – Kick-off: 18.30 CEST; 18.30 SAST, 16.30 GMT)

Referee: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Johnny Mackenzie (Scotland), Rob McDowell (Scotland)
TMO: Dave Sutherland (Scotland)

Munster v Racing 92

(SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork – Kick-off: 20.00 IST; 21.00 CEST; 19.00 GMT)

Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
Assistant referees: Joe James (England), Richard Gordon (England)
TMO: Dean Richards (England)

Bath v Montpellier

(Recreation Ground, Bath – Kick-off: 20.00 BST; 21.00 CEST; 19.00 GMT)

Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Filippo Russo (Italy), Alberto Favaro (Italy)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (Italy)

Sunday, October 18

Section Paloise v Leicester Tigers

(Stade du Hameau, Pau – Kick-off: 14.00 CEST; 13.00 BST; 12.00 GMT)

Referee: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Robbie Jenkinson (Ireland), Andrew Cole (Ireland)
TMO: Olly Hodges (Ireland)

Stade Toulousain v Exeter Chiefs

(Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse – Kick-off: 16.15 CEST; 15.15 BST; 14.15 GMT)

Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Rob McDowell (Scotland), Finlay Brown (Scotland)
TMO: Dave Sutherland (Scotland)

Northampton Saints v Cardiff

(Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton – Kick-off: 17.30 BST; 16.30 GMT)

Referee: Jeremy Rozier (France)
Assistant referees: Thomas Charabas (France), Cyrille Boulay (France)
TMO: Julien Castaignede (France)

Challenge Cup

Friday, October 16

Dragons RFC v USAP

(Rodney Parade, Gwent – Kick-off: 20.00 BST; 21.00 CEST; 19.00 GMT)

Referee: Hanru van Rooyen (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Alex Thomas (England), Hamish Grant (England)
TMO: David Rose (England)

Edinburgh v RC Toulon

(Hive Stadium, Edinburgh – Kick-off: 20.00 BST; 21.00 CEST; 19.00 GMT)

Referee: Ben Breakspear (Wales)
Assistant referees: Carwyn Sion (Wales), Lloyd Edwards (Wales)
TMO: Daniel Jones (England)

Saturday, October 17

Lyon v Hollywoodbets Sharks

(Matmut Stadium, Lyon – Kick-off: 14.00 CEST; 14.00 SAST; 12.00 GMT)

Referee: Federico Vedovelli (Italy)
Assistant referees: Daniele Pompa (Italy), Mattia Locatelli (Italy)
TMO: Stefano Penne (Italy)

Black Lion v Ospreys

(Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi – Kick-off: 16.00 GET; 13.00 BST; 12.00 GMT)

Referee: Benoit Rousselet (France)
Assistant referees: Remi Aiguebonne (France), Thomas Chereque (France)
TMO: Herve Lasausa Lespy Labaylett (France)

Zebre v Ulster

(Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma – Kick-off: 16.15 CEST, 15.15 BST, 14.15 GMT)

Referee: Ben Connor (Wales)
Assistant referees: Rhys Jones (Wales), Marcus Caudle (Wales)
TMO: Adam Jones (Wales)

Scarlets v Newcastle Red Bulls

(Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli – Kick-off: 20.00 BST; 19.00 GMT)

Referee: Evan Urruzmendi (France)
Assistant referees: Anthony Lac (France), Ludovic Lespes (France)
TMO: Jean Lespes (France)

Sunday, October 18

Aviron Bayonnais v Toyota Cheetahs

(Stade Jean Dauger, Bayonne – Kick-off: 14.00 CEST; 14.00 SAST; 12.00 GMT)

Referee: Sara Cox (England)
Assistant referees: Harry Walbaum (England), Jamie Leahy (England)
TMO: Peter Allan (Scotland)

Harlequins v RC Vannes

(Twickenham Stoop, Twickenham – Kick-off: 13.00 BST; 14.00 CEST, 12.00 GMT)

Referee: Peter Martin (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Keane Davison (Ireland), Jack Macneice (Ireland)
TMO: Leo Colgan (Ireland)

Castres Olympique v Benetton

(Stade Pierre-Fabre, Castres – Kick-off: 18.30 CEST; 16.30 GMT)

Referee: Morne Ferreira (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Ru Campbell (Scotland), Ciaran Stark (Scotland)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)