Match officials for European finals named

The match officials for the Champions and Challenge Cup finals have been announced. 

Two of England’s top referees have been entrusted with the duties, with Wayne Barnes handling the Champions Cup Final in Dublin between Leinster and La Rochelle while Luke Pearce takes charge of the Challenge Cup crescendo featuring Lyon and Toulon. 

This will be Barnes’ third Champions Cup final having previously overseen the 2010 and 2018 finals. His assistants will be Matthew Carley and Christophe Ridley, with Tom Foley acting as TMO and Stefano Marrama as Citing Commissioner. 

Pearce was in charge of last year’s Champions Cup decider, making this his second European final. Andrew Brace and Frank Murphy will perform the touch judge duties with Ian Tempest serving as TMO and Ireland’s Ed Kenny as Citing Commissioner. 

Heineken Champions Cup Final 

Leinster Rugby v Stade Rochelais: Saturday 28 May – Stade Vélodrome, Marseille, 5.45pm. 
Referee: Wayne Barnes (Eng); Assistant referees: Matthew Carley (Eng), Christophe Ridley (Eng); TMO: Tom Foley (Eng); Citing Commissioner: Stefano Marrama (Ita) 

EPCR Challenge Cup Final 

Lyon v RC Toulon: Friday 27 May – Stade Vélodrome, Marseille, 9pm 
Referee: Luke Pearce (Eng); Assistant referees: Andrew Brace (Ire), Frank Murphy (Ire); TMO: Ian Tempest (Eng); Citing Commissioner: Ed Kenny (Ire)