URC, Round Nine - match official appointments

NEWS: The match officials appointments of the United Rugby Championship Round 9 fixtures have been confirmed.

Andrew Brace will take up the whistle for the 100th time as Connacht take on Ulster this Saturday, December 28.

Brace made his PRO12 debut in 2015 and is in line to be the fifth match official to reach 100 games alongside Nigel Owens, George Clancy, Marius Mitrea and Ben Whitehouse.

*Article continues below…

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27

Munster v Leinster
(Thomond Park, Limerick – Kick-off: 19.35; 19.35 GMT)

Referee: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
Assistant Referees: Keane Davison (Ireland) and Chris Lough (Ireland)
TMO: Mike Adamson (Scotland)

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28

Stormers v Sharks
(Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town – Kick-off: 17.00; 15.00 GMT)

Referee: Aimee Barret-Theron (South Africa)
Assistant Referees: AJ Jacobs (South Africa) and Stephan Geldenhuys (South Africa)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)

Zebre Parma v Benetton
(Stadio Lanfranchi, Parma – Kick-off: 16.00; 15.00 GMT)

Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
Assistant Referees: Fillipo Russo (Italy) and Franco Rosella (Italy)
TMO: Stefano Roscini (Italy)

Edinburgh v Glasgow Warriors
(Edinburgh Stadium, Murrayfield – Kick-off: 15.00; 15.00)

Referee: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)
Assistant Referees: Hollie Davidson (Scotland) and Jonny Perriam (Scotland)
TMO: Leo Colgan (Ireland)

Connacht v Ulster
(Sportsground, Galway – Kick-off 19.35; 19.35 GMT)

Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Assistant Referees: Robbie Jenkinson (Ireland) and Tomas O’Sullivan (Ireland)
TMO: Olly Hodges (Ireland)

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1

Cardiff v Ospreys
(Arms Park, Cardiff – Kick-off: 15.00; 15.00 GMT)

Referee: Ben Breakspear (Wales)
Assistant Referees: Ben Connor (Wales) and Adam Jones (Wales)
TMO: Tom Spurrier (Wales)

Scarlets v Dragons RFC
(Parc Y Scarlets, Llanelli – Kick-off: 17.15; 17.15 GMT)

Referee: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)
Assistant Referees: Craig Evans (Wales) and Mike English (Wales)
TMO: Aled Griffiths (Wales)