Investec Champions Cup and Challenge Cup Round of 16 match officials confirmed as Hollie Davidson handed opener
Hollie Davidson and Sam Grove-White will referee the Round of 16 openers in the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup respectively.
The match officials for the Investec Champions Cup Round of 16 have been confirmed, with Hollie Davidson refereeing the opening clash as Northampton take on Castres.
Referees from eight nations have been appointed across all 16 fixtures taking place in the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup, with the games running from April 3 to 5.
The 96-strong panel of referees, assistant referees, and TMOs has been appointed by a committee led by EPCR Head of Match Officials, Tony Spreadbury. These officials will oversee 16 decisive knockout encounters, as the clubs take their next step towards the 2026 EPCR Finals Weekend at San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao (May 22 and 23).
Davidson in Northampton
The action gets underway with Davidson (Scotland), fresh from her Men’s Six Nations debut, taking charge of the opening fixture on Friday as Northampton host Castres.
Saturday’s games begin with Nika Amashukeli (Georgia), who recently officiated the deciding Six Nations clash between France and England, overseeing Bath v Saracens.
At the same time, England’s Christophe Ridley will referee at Stade Félix Mayol as Toulon take on Stormers.
On Saturday evening, Pierre Brousset (France) will officiate a first-ever Investec Champions Cup meeting between URC rivals Glasgow Warriors and the Bulls. Concurrently, Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy) will be in charge as Toulouse host Bristol Bears in another first-time match-up.
Under the Saturday night lights, Luc Ramos (France) will referee the all-English clash between Harlequins and Sale Sharks at Twickenham Stoop.
Sunday’s action begins with Ireland’s Andrew Brace in charge, as reigning champions and top seeds Bordeaux-Bègles welcome Leicester Tigers to Stade Chaban-Delmas.
The Round of 16 concludes with Luke Pearce (England) officiating the final match, as unbeaten Leinster Rugby host Edinburgh at the Aviva Stadium.
In the Challenge Cup, Sam Grove-White (Scotland) will referee the opening knockout fixture as the Sharks travel to Connacht.
On Saturday, Adam Leal (England) will oversee the clash between top-seeded Montpellier and Perpignan at Septeo Stadium. At the same time, France’s Jérémy Rozier will officiate as Exeter Chiefs host Munster at Sandy Park in their sixth EPCR meeting.
Kevin Bralley (France) will take charge at Stadio Monigo, where Benetton host Cardiff in a repeat of the 2023 quarter-final.
Saturday night brings two more compelling fixtures: Eoghan Cross (Ireland) will referee as two-time Investec Champions Cup winners La Rochelle travel to Newcastle Red Bulls at Kingston Park. Simultaneously, Anthony Woodthorpe (England) will officiate the clash between Ulster and Ospreys at Affidea Stadium.
On Sunday, Morne Ferreira (South Africa) will oversee Stade Français Paris against Dragons, marking both sides’ first knockout appearance since the 2022/23 season.
The Round of 16 concludes with Ben Breakspear (Wales) in charge, as Zebre Parma face Section Paloise at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi for a place in the quarter-finals.
Investec Champions Cup
Friday, April 3
Northampton Saints v Castres
Kick-off: 20:00 BST
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Sco)
Assistant Referees: Morne Ferreira (SA), Jonny MacKenzie (Sco)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SA)
Saturday, April 4
Bath v Saracens
Kick-off: 15:00 BST
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Geo)
Assistant Referees: Craig Evans (Wal), Shota Tevzadze (Geo)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wal)
Toulon v Stormers
Kick-off: 16:00 local (15:00 BST)
Referee: Christophe Ridley (Eng)
Assistant Referees: Karl Dickson (Eng), John Meredith (Eng)
TMO: Ian Tempest (Eng)
Glasgow Warriors v Bulls
Kick-off: 17:30 BST
Referee: Pierre Brousset (Fra)
Assistant Referees: Vincent Blasco Baque (Fra), Julien Caulier (Fra)
TMO: Tual Trainini (Fra)
Toulouse v Bristol Bears
Kick-off: 18:30 local (17:30 BST)
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (Ita)
Assistant Referees: Federico Vedovelli (Ita), Alberto Favaro (Ita)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (Ita)
Harlequins v Sale Sharks
Kick-off: 20:00 BST
Referee: Luc Ramos (Fra)
Assistant Referees: Thomas Charabas (Fra), Jonathan Gasnier (Fra)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
Sunday, April 5
Bordeaux-Begles v Leicester Tigers
Kick-off: 16:00 local (15:00 BST)
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ire)
Assistant Referees: Peter Martin (Ire), Padraic Reidy (Ire)
TMO: Olly Hodges (Ire)
Leinster v Edinburgh
Kick-off: 17:30 BST
Referee: Luke Pearce (Eng)
Assistant Referees: Hamish Smales (Eng), Joe James (Eng)
TMO: Andrew Jackson (Eng)
EPCR Challenge Cup
Friday, April 3
Connacht v Sharks
Kick-off: 20:00 BST
Referee: Sam Grove-White (Sco)
Assistant Referees: Ru Campbell (Sco), Rob McDowell (Sco)
TMO: Mike Adamson (Sco)
Saturday, April 4
Montpellier v Perpignan
Kick-off: 13:30 local (12:30 BST)
Referee: Adam Leal (Eng)
Assistant Referees: Sara Cox (Eng), Jonathan Healy (Eng)
TMO: Peter Allan (Sco)
Exeter Chiefs v Munster
Kick-off: 12:30 BST
Referee: Jeremy Rozier (Fra)
Assistant Referees: Filippo Russo (Ita), Franco Rosella (Ita)
TMO: Herve Lasausa Lespy Labaylett (Fra)
Benetton v Cardiff
Kick-off: 18:30 local (17:30 BST)
Referee: Kevin Bralley (Fra)
Assistant Referees: Pierre Bru (Fra), Flavien Hourquet (Fra)
TMO: Julien Castaignede (Fra)
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Newcastle Red Bulls v La Rochelle
Kick-off: 20:00 BST
Referee: Eoghan Cross (Ire)
Assistant Referees: Robbie Jenkinson (Ire), Tomas O’Sullivan (Ire)
TMO: Leo Colgan (Ire)
Ulster v Ospreys
Kick-off: 20:00 BST
Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe (Eng)
Assistant Referees: Daniel Jones (Eng), Wayne Falla (Eng)
TMO: David Rose (Eng)
Sunday, April 5
Stade Francais v Dragons
Kick-off: 13:30 local (12:30 BST)
Referee: Morne Ferreira (SA)
Assistant Referees: Griffin Colby (SA), Christopher Allison (SA)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SA)
Zebre Parma v Pau
Kick-off: 18:30 local (17:30 BST)
Referee: Ben Breakspear (Wal)
Assistant Referees: Craig Evans (Wal), Ben Connor (Wal)
TMO: Adam Jones (Wal)