TMO to go 'live' in Euro play-offs

APPOINTMENTS: The match officials for the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup semifinals have been confirmed.

In a first for the competition, EPCR has also announced that referees’ decisions will be broadcast over stadium public address systems for the Champions Cup semifinals and for both finals in Cardiff next month.

This will allow fans in attendance to hear the real-time discussions and reasoning behind decisions made between the referee and the television match official.

Referee microphones are already broadcast into stadiums during international fixtures including the Six Nations and are currently being trialled in the United Championship and Premiership.

Inclusion in the Champions Cup semifinals marks an important step forward in bringing transparency to the club game.

“Allowing fans to hear how decisions are made on the pitch will enhance the matchday experience and help educate spectators in real time,” Tony Spreadbury, EPCR’s Head of Match Officials, said.

“It’s an exciting step towards making the game more accessible to newcomers, and we’re thrilled to introduce this feature during such a pivotal stage of the competition.”

Fans can look forward to a thrilling weekend on Saturday, May 3, and Sunday, May 4, as teams fight for a spot in the Finals and the chance to lift the prestigious trophies in Cardiff on 23 and 24 May.

An experienced group of referees, assistant referees, and TMOs – representing seven different unions – will oversee the four semifinal showdowns across both competitions.

Pierre Brousset of France will take charge of the first Champions Cup semifinal this weekend, as Leinster face Northampton Saints in Dublin.

On Sunday, Ireland’s Andrew Brace will officiate the second semifinal at Matmut ATLANTIQUE, where Union Bordeaux-Bègles meet defending champions Stade Toulousain-both clubs remain unbeaten in this season’s competition.

The EPCR Challenge Cup action begins Saturday in Edinburgh, with Georgia’s Nika Amashukeli refereeing the clash between Edinburgh and Bath.

Sunday’s Challenge Cup semifinal sees England’s Karl Dickson oversee the match-up between Lyon Olympique Universitaire and Racing 92 at Matmut Stadium de Gerland.

Champions Cup appointments

Saturday, May 3

Leinster v Northampton Saints

Referee: Pierre Brousset (France)
Assistant referees: Luc Ramos (France), Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
TMO: Tual Trainini (France)

Sunday, May 4

Union Bordeaux-Bègles v Stade Toulousain

Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Christophe Ridley (England), Eoghan Cross (Ireland)
TMO: Mike Adamson (Scotland)

Challenge Cup appointments

Saturday, May 3

Edinburgh v Bath

Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia
Assistant referee: Ludovic Cayre (France), Craig Evans (Wales)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)

Sunday, May 4

Lyon Olympique Universitaire v Racing 92

Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
Assistant referee: Luke Pearce (England), Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
TMO: Ian Tempest (England)