It’s once again that time of the year when Gallagher Premiership Rugby sides pit their wits against Europe’s elite.
The Heineken Champions Cup and European Rugby Challenge Cup pool stages both get underway this weekend, and the best officials from around the continent will be overseeing proceedings as Gallagher Premiership Rugby teams lock horns with sides from France, Ireland, Italy and Scotland.
On Friday night, Wasps go looking to upset Heineken Champions Cup holders Leinster in Dublin, with Romain Poite the man in the middle, while Andrew Brace is in charge of Bath Rugby’s Saturday clash with Toulouse.
Jérome Garcès and Pascal Gauzère are the lead officials as Exeter Chiefs and Leicester Tigers take on Munster and Ulster respectively – the latter on the road in Belfast.
Meanwhile, last season’s Challenge Cup Champions Gloucester Rugby open up their Champions Cup campaign against Castres on Sunday, with Marius Mitrea in charge.
Elsewhere on Sunday, Ben Whitehouse officiates Newcastle Falcons’ trip to Toulon, and Mathieu Raynal will oversee Saracens’ encounter with Glasgow Warriors at Scoutstoun.
In the Challenge Cup, Joy Neville will be in charge of Sale Sharks’ opener at Perpignan while Nigel Owens looks after proceedings at Franklin’s Gardens, where Northampton Saints host Clermont Auvergne.
Ian Davies and Frank Murphy officiate Harlequins’ clash with Agen and Bristol Bears’ meeting with Zebre respectively and Dan Jones will be the man in the middle as Worcester Warriors go to Stade Francais.
HEINEKEN CHAMPIONS CUP
Friday 12 October
Leinster v Wasps (RDS Arena, 7.45pm) Live on BT Sport 2 and 4K UHD
Referee: Romain Poite
Assistant referees: Cyril Lafon and Stephane Boyer
TMO: Denis Grenouillet
Saturday 13 October
Bath Rugby v Toulouse (Recreation Ground, 1pm) Live on BT Sport 2
Referee: Andrew Brace
Assistant Referees: John Lacey and Eddie Hogan O’Connell
TMO: Simon McDowell
Exeter Chiefs V Munster Rugby (Sandy Park, 3.15pm) Live on BT Sport 2 and 4K UHD
Referee: Jérôme Garcès
Assistant Referees: Ludovic Cayre and Jonathan Dufort
TMO: Eric Briquet-Campin
Ulster Rugby v Leicester Tigers (Kingspan Stadium, 5.30pm) Live on BT Sport 2 and 4K UHD
Referee: Pascal Gauzère
Assistant Referees: Maxime Chalon and Jean-Luc Rebollal
TMO: Eric Gauzins
Sunday 14 October
Gloucester Rugby v Castres (Kingsholm Stadium, 3pm) Live on BT Sport 2 and 4K UHD
Referee: Marius Mitrea
Assistant Referees: Manuel Bottino and Gianluca Gnecchi
TMO: Stefano Penne
Glasgow Warriors v Saracens (Scotstoun Stadium, 3.15pm) Live on BT Sport 2 and 4K UHD
Referee: Mathieu Raynal
Assistant Referees: Alexandre Ruiz and Thomas Charabas
TMO: Philippe Bonhoure
Toulon v Newcastle Falcons (Stade Felix-Mayol, 3.15pm) Live on BT Sport 3
Referee: Ben Whitehouse
Assistant Referees: Craig Evans and Wayne Davies
TMO: Neil Patterson
CHALLENGE CUP
Friday 12 October
Perpignan v Sale Sharks (Stade Aime Giral, 7.45pm)
Referee: Joy Neville
Assistant Referees: Sean Gallagher and Nigel Correll
TMO: Kevin Beggs
Saturday 13 October
Northampton Saints v Clermont Auvergne (Franklin’s Gardens, 3pm)
Referee: Nigel Owens
Assistant Referees: Adam Jones and Simon Rees
TMO: Rob Warburton
Harlequins v Agen (The Stoop, 3pm)
Referee: Ian Davies
Assistant Referees: Mike English and Gareth John
TMO: Nigel Carrick
Bristol Bears v Zebre (Ashton Gate, 3pm)
Referee: Frank Murphy
Assistant Referees: George Clancy and Mark Patton
TMO: Michael Patz
Stade Francais v Worcester Warriors (Stade Jean Bouin, 8pm)
Referee: Dan Jones
Assistant Referees: Gwyn Morris and Dewi Phillips
TMO: Flavien Girard
Read more at https://www.premiershiprugby.com/2018-2019/referee-romain-poite-in-charge-as-wasps-take-on-champions-cup-holders-leinster/#IcFWUwEuEwwkWIyv.99