Match officials for URC and Premiership Finals revealed

NEWS: The match officials’ appointments for the United Rugby Championship and Premiership Finals and the Super Rugby Pacific semifinals have been confirmed.

Andrea Piardi will referee his third consecutive URC Grand Final this Saturday in Dublin’s Croke Park after the Italian was selected to oversee the clash between Leinster and the Bulls.

The 32-year-old takes on the appointment this weekend just a month before he makes history as the first Italian to referee a British & Irish Lions game when he holds the whistle for their second Test versus Australia.

Piardi has made nine appearances in the league this season, bringing his total to 54 and while he may celebrate his third selection for a decider, he is still some way short of the record held by Nigel Owens of Wales who took charge of six league finals during his illustrious career.

Piardi has been a familiar face in the URC play-offs in the past four seasons and his team of match officials will consist of Mike Adamson and Sam Grove-White (both Scotland) as assistant referees one and two, respectively.

Matteo Liperini (Italy) will serve as the TMO.

The team will have the combined experience of 198 league games.

Due to a policy of neutrality for match official appointments for the Grand Final, no Irish or South African referees could be considered.

See the match official list below:

URC

Final:

Saturday, June 14:

Leinster v Bulls
(Croke Park, Dublin – Kick-off: 17.00; 18.00 SAST; 16.00 GMT)

Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Mike Adamson (Scotland), Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (Italy)

Premiership

Final:

Saturday, June 14:

Bath v Leicester Tigers
(Twickenham Stadium, London – Kick-off: 15.00; 14.00 GMT)

Referee: Karl Dickson
Assistant referees: Luke Pearce and Adam Leal
TMO: Ian Tempest

Super Rugby Pacific:

Semifinals

Friday, June 13:

Crusaders v Blues
(Rugby League Park, Christchurch – Kick-off: 19.05; 07.05 GMT)

Referee: James Doleman
Assistant referees: Paul Williams, Fraser Hannon
TMO: Richard Kelly

Saturday, June 14:

Chiefs v Brumbies
(Waikato Stadium, Hamilton – Kick-off: 19.05; 17.05 AEST; 07.05 GMT)

Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant referees: Damon Murphy, Jordan Way
TMO: Brett Cronan