Referees for Europe's Semis
Nigel Owens of Wales and Romain Poite of France have been appointed to the Champions Cup semifinals and John Lacey of Ireland and Wayne Barnes of England to the Challenge Cup semifinals.
The appointments are made by the organisers' selection committee, chaired by Donal Courtney of Ireland, the former Test referee who now runs the European Professional Club Rugby referees.
Of the referees appointed, Nigel Owens has the most experience. He is, with Jonathan Kaplan, the most capped international referee with 70 caps. He has refereed three Heineken Cup (Champions Cup) Finals – in 2008, 2009 and 2012, besides two Challenge Cup Finals and 85 Champions Cup matches in total.
Barnes refereed the Champions Cup Final in 2010 and Poite the Final in 2011.
The Finals this year will be at the Grand Stade in Lyon, the Challenge Cup Final Friday, 13 May 2016, the Champions Cup Final on Saturday 14 May 2016.
Champions Cup Semifinals
Saturday 23 Aprli 2016
Saracens v Wasps at Madejski Stadium, Reading
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
Sunday 24 April 2016
Leicester Tigers v Racing 92 at City Ground, Nottingham
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Challenge Cup Semifinals
Friday 22 April 2016
Harlequins v Grenoble at Twickenham Stoop
Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)
Saturday 23 April 2016
Montpellier v Newport Gwent Dragons at Altrad Stadium
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
