Nigel Owens of Wales, and John Lacey from Ireland have been named as the referees for the two main European finals on 12-13 May 2017.
Owens will referee his 100th tournament match when he takes charge of the Champions Cup final between ASM Clermont Auvergne and Saracens on Saturday 13 May. This makes it the third consecutive year with Owens taking the main final. Lacey is on duty the night before as he referees the Challenge Cup decider between Gloucester Rugby and Stade Francais Paris.
In the third Murrayfield match that weekend, Mike Adamson of Scotland will be in the middle for the all-Russian meeting of Enisei-STM and Krasny Yar in the Continental Shield final.
The appointments were announced by EPCR’s selection committee which is chaired by the tournament organiser’s Head of Match Officials, Joel Jutge.
Alongside Owens will be assistant referees George Clancy of Ireland and Ian Davies of Wales.
Lacey will be refereeing the Challenge Cup final for the second year in a row and his assistant referees will be Andrew Brace of Ireland and Wales’ Ben Whitehouse.
Speaking after the announcements, Owens said, “It will be a very special occasion reaching 100 games in the European Cup with it being my sixth final. It will be a great honour and I’m really looking forward to the game. After two great semi-finals this season, everyone is looking forward to the final in Edinburgh. Saracens and Clermont are both great sides, and there was some great rugby played in the semi-finals in Dublin and Lyon. The final promises to be a fantastic occasion.”
2017 Challenge Cup final – Gloucester Rugby v Stade Francais Paris
Friday, 12 May – BT Murrayfield (20.00 BST).
Referee: John Lacey (Ire)
Assistant referees: Andrew Brace (Ire) & Ben Whitehouse (Wal)
TMO: Simon McDowell (Ire)
2017 Continental Shield final – Enisei-STM v Krasny Yar
Saturday, 13 May – BT Murrayfield complex (12.00 BST)
Referee: Mike Adamson (Sco)
Assistant referees: Lloyd Linton (Sco) & David Sutherland (Sco)
2017 Champions Cup final – ASM Clermont Auvergne v Saracens
Saturday, 13 May – BT Murrayfield (17.00 BST).
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wal)
Assistant referees: George Clancy (Ire) & Ian Davies (Wal)
TMO: Jon Mason (Wal)
