A quiet weekend in the global calendar as it’s European semi finals, so it’s an off week for the usual Northern European leagues. Wayne Barnes and Matthew Carley have the two Champions Cup ties, with messrs Gauzère and Brace on Challenge Cup duties.
Rasta Rasivhenge and Jaco Peyper will referee the two opening Rainbow Cup SA matches on home territory, and in the Super Rugby series, there’s a Nic Berry will see which of the Brumbies or the Western Force will qualify to play the Queensland Reds in next weekend’s final. Ben O’Keeffe and Mike Fraser will officiate the Aotearoa matches.
That just leaves the RFU’s second tier league, with Sara Cox heading to the East Midlands to referee Ampthill against Jersey. The leaders Saracens head to Nottingham where Anthony Woodthorpe takes charge.
It’s a long weekend for many around the world, so enjoy your bonus May day off if you get it!
Keith
International friendly
France Women v England Roses
Referee: Clara Munarini (FIR)
ARs: Beatrice Benvenuti (FIR) & Maria Giovanna Pacifico (FIR)
TMO: Stefano Penne (FIR)
Super Rugby AU: Qualifying Final
Brumbies v Western Force
Referee: Nic Berry
ARs: Graham Cooper & Amy Perrett
TMO: James Leckie
Super Rugby Aotearoa – Round 10
Hurricanes v Highlanders
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
ARs: James Doleman & Paul Williams
TMO: Brendon Pickerill
Blues v Chiefs
Referee: Mike Fraser
ARs: James Doleman & Paul Williams
TMO: Brendon Pickerill
Heineken Champions Cup Semi-finals
Toulouse v Bordeaux-Bègles
Referee: Wayne Barnes (Eng)
ARs: Christophe Ridley (Eng) & Adam Leal (Eng)
TMO: Tom Foley (Eng)
Citing Commissioner: Ed Kenny (Ire)
La Rochelle v Leinster Rugby
Referee: Matthew Carley (Eng)
ARs: Andrew Jackson (Eng) & Wayne Falla (Eng)
TMO: Ian Tempest (Eng)
Citing Commissioner: Dave Guyan (Eng)
European Challenge Cup – Semi-Finals
Leicester Tigers v Ulster Rugby
Referee: Pascal Gauzère (Fra)
ARs: Romain Poite (Fra) & Alex Ruiz (Fra)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra);
Citing Commissioner: Jeff Mark (Wal)
Bath Rugby v Montpellier
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ire)
ARs: Frank Murphy (Ire) & Chris Busby (Ire)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (Ire)
Citing Commissioner: Eugene Ryan (Ire)
PRO14 Rainbow Cup SA – R1
DHL Stormers v Cell C Sharks
Referee: Jaco Peyper (SARU, competition debut)
ARs: Adriaan Jacobs & Aimee Barrett-Theron (both SARU)
TMO: Stuart Berry (SARU)
Vodacom Bulls v Emirates Lions
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge (SARU, 3rd competition game)
ARs: Griffon Colby & Paul Mente (both SARU)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuzien (SARU)
RFU Greene King Championship
Ampthill v Jersey Reds
Referee: Sara Cox
ARs: Adam Wookey & Simon Adams
Coventry v Cornish Pirates
Referee: George Selwood
ARs: Lionel Spooner & Peter Brunt
Ealing Trailfinders v Richmond
Referee: Simon Harding
ARs: Mike Hudson & Michael Woods
Nottingham v Saracens
Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe
ARs: Greg Macdonald & Joe James
Doncaster Knights v Bedford Blues
Referee: Jack Makepeace
ARs: Alex Thomas & Simon Park
