Big European weekend as referees, Jérôme Garcès and Wayne Barnes heading to Newcastle, England with their respective teams, to officiate the Heineken Champions Cup final and European Challenge Cup final respectively. They’ll be hoping this tops off a great week as both have been selected for Rugby World Cup 2019 duties too.
Elsewhere, the women’s 7s circuit lands in Langford for the Canadian leg of the series. It’s Super Rugby round 13 and it’s good to see the likes of Rasta Rasivhenge, Nick Briant, Egon Seconds and Damon Murphy getting some whistle time.
Over in the USMLR, the rotating guest referee circuit we discussed with Richard Every in episode 16 of the the Advantage Over podcast a few weeks ago, sees the RFU’s Anthony Woodthorpe in Toronto for their two-game weekend. He’ll be taking charge of the Sunday game as they host Utah.
Enjoy the big finals if you’re in the North and watching, or wherever you happen to be involved in rugby this weekend!
World Rugby Sevens – Women’s Series
Langford, Canada
Referees: Beatrice Benvenuti (Italy), Sara Cox (Eng), Hollie Davidson (Sco), Emily Hsieh (USA), Tyler Miller (Aus),Joy Neville (Ire), Amy Perrett (Aus), Tevita Rokovereni (Fiji)
Heineken Champions Cup Final
Leinster v Saracens (played at St James’ Park, Newcastle)
Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)
ARs: Romain Poite (France) & Pascal Gaüzère (France)
TMO: Philippe Bonhoure (France)
Citing commissioner: Stefano Marrama (Italy)
European Challenge Cup Final
Clermont Auvergne v La Rochelle (at St James’ Park, Newcastle)
Referee: Wayne Barnes (Eng)
ARs: Luke Pearce (Eng) & Matthew Carley (Eng)
TMO: Rowan Kitt (Eng)
Citing commissioner: Peter Ferguson (Ireland)
Super Rugby – Round 13
Blues v Hurricanes
Referee: Nick Briant (NZ)
ARs: Paul Williams (NZ) & Brendon Pickerill (NZ)
TMO: Ben Skeen (NZ)
Rebels v Reds
Referee: Angus Gardner (Aus)
ARs: Damon Murphy (Aus) & Graham Cooper (Aus)
TMO: George Ayoub (Aus)
Bulls v Crusaders
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge (SA)
ARs: Jaco Peyper (SA) & Egon Seconds (SA)
TMO: Willie Vos (SA)
Highlanders v Jaguares
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
ARs: Mike Fraser (NZ) & James Doleman (NZ)
TMO: Shane McDermott (NZ)
Chiefs v Sharks
Referee: Nic Berry (Aus)
ARs: Paul Williams (NZ) & Brendon Pickerill (NZ)
TMO: Aaron Paterson (NZ)
Lions v Waratahs
Referee: Egon Seconds (SA)
ARs: Jaco Peyper (SA) & Rasta Rasivhenge (SA)
TMO: Willie Vos (SA)
Brumbies v Sunwolves
Referee: Damon Murphy (Aus)
ARs: Angus Gardner (Aus) & Graham Cooper (Aus)
TMO: George Ayoub (Aus)
Premiership Shield Final
Newcastle v Saracen Storm
Referee: Richard Haughton
ARs: Hamish Smales & Wayne Falla
Major League Rugby, Round 16
Toronto Arrows v Austin Elite (Thurs 9th)
Referee: Moe Chaudhry
AR: Pete Pender & Michael Jones
Houston Sabercats v Glendale Raptors
Referee: Derek Summers
ARs: Moe Chaudhry & Greg Varnell
Rugby United New York v Seattle Seawolves
Referee: Scott Green
ARs: Mike O’Brien & Jake Still
Toronto Arrows v Utah Warriors (Sun 12th)
Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe (England)
ARs: Robin Kaluzniak & Michael Jones