EPCR has confirmed the Match Official appointments for Round 3 of the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup. Spanning 21 matches and featuring referees from eight unions, the action starts again on Friday 10 January.
Highlights include:
England's Karl Dickson kicks off the action in the Investec Champions Cup as Glasgow Warriors host Racing 92 in Pool 4 for the opening match of the weekend.
France's Jeremy Rozier will get the EPCR Challenge Cup action underway as Gloucester Rugby take on Scarlets at home as their Pool 3 battle intensifies.
Ireland's Eoghan Cross will make his Investec Champions Cup referee debut when he takes control of the Pool 3 clash between Stade Français Paris and Northampton Saints at Stade Jean Bouin.
Aimee Barrett-Theron will become the first-ever South African female referee in an EPCR competition when brings the curtain down on Round 3 of the EPCR Challenge Cup with Dragons RFC v Section Paloise.
Georgia's Nika Amashukeli, supported by Christophe Ridley (ENG), Sam Grove-White (SCO) and Ian Tempest (TMO, ENG) will be at Stade Marcel Deflandre for the hotly-anticipated rematch between Stade Rochelais and Leinster Rugby – both currently on 9 points in Pool 2. Since their first meeting in 2021 at the semi-finals, the clubs have gone to battle five times - including two Finals.
English team lead by Luke Pearce, with Adam Leal, Hamish Grant and Stuart Terheege in charge of "South Africa v France" as Springboks-packed Hollywoodbets Sharks host France's top club Stade Toulousain for their Pool 1 test.
World Rugby Global Law Trials for Rounds 3 and 4
EPCR competitions will feature four law amendments to promote speed, space and contest to enhance fan and player experiences.
Following World Rugby’s implementation of the Global Law Trials to all competitions commencing 1 January 2025, EPCR has confirmed these Law Trials will be adopted from Round 3 of the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup.
The following four World Rugby Global Law Trials will be implemented for Rounds 3 and 4:
60-second conversion limit to align with penalties and improve game pace, which will be managed by a shot clock (where possible).
30-second setup for lineouts will match time for scrums, reducing downtime – which will be managed on-field by the match officials.
Play-on rule in uncontested line-outs when the throw is not straight.
Scrumhalf protection during scrums, rucks and mauls.
The full text of the law trials is available HERE.
Click HERE for the match official appointments for Round 3 of the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup.
Click HERE for the full list of Investec Champions Cup fixtures.
Click HERE for the full list of EPCR Challenge Cup fixtures.
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