Premiership referees to 26 August 2020
Wayne Barnes is back in the middle for the first time since Gallagher Premiership Rugby’s restart when he presides over the top-of-the-table clash between Bristol Bears and Exeter Chiefs.
The Chiefs have been immense since lockdown, scoring 58 points combined in wins against Leicester Tigers and Sale Sharks to stretch their lead at the top of the pile. The Bears have also been irresistible since the restart, beating Saracens and Gloucester Rugby to move second – eight points behind the all-conquering Chiefs.
Craig Maxwell-Keys and Karl Dickson will assist Barnes, while Rowan Kitt will be the TMO.
Tuesday’s other game also has major semi-final ramifications, with third-placed Wasps hosting fourth-placed Sale Sharks. Matthew Carley will take the whistle for that one, with Greg MacDonald and Jonathan Healy running the line.
Ian Tempest has the best seat in the house for Saracens’ home clash with Gloucester Rugby 24 hours later, with Adam Leal and Roy Maybank his assistants and Dickson for TMO, while Christophe Ridley has the honour of refereeing Northampton Saints and Bath – ably assisted by Paul Dix and Jamie Leahy, with Barnes on TMO duty.
Jack Makepeace is the man in the middle for Worcester Warriors’ home clash with Harlequins with Tom Foley as TMO, while Luke Pearce is in charge for Leicester Tigers and London Irish, where Andrew Jackson and Wayne Falla will be his assistants.
Tuesday, 25 August 2020
Wasps v Sale Sharks at Ricoh Arena
Referee: Matthew Carley
Assistants: Greg MacDonald, Jonathan Healy
TMO: Nigel Carrick
Bristol Bears v Exeter Chiefs at Ashton Gate
Referee: Wayne Barnes
Assistants: Craig Maxwell-Keys, Karl Dickson
TMO: Rowan Kitt
Wednesday, 26 August 2020
Saracens v Gloucester Rugby at Allianz Park
Referee: Ian Tempest
Assistants: Adam Leal, Roy Maybank
TMO: Karl Dickson
Worcester Warriors v Harlequins at Sixways
Referee: Jack Makepeace
Assistants: Peter Allan, Phil Watters
TMO: Tom Foley
Leicester Tigers v London Irish at Welford Road
Referee: Luke Pearce
Assistants: Andrew Jackson, Wayne Falla
TMO: Sean Davey
Northampton Saints v Bath Rugby at Franklin’s Gardens
Referee: Christophe Ridley
Assistants: Paul Dix, Jamie Leahy
TMO: Wayne Barnes
