England’s Matthew Carley for La Rochelle-Leinster was revealed by the judges on the first day.

Return Champions Cup and Challenge Cup within 15 days. EPCR, the organizing body for the intercontinental tournament (currently with South African provinces), has released the names of referees for the weekend of December 8-9-10. The first day will be marked by a clash between Stade Roselaise and Leinster in a remake of the last two editions of the competition, won by the Maritimes. Englishman Matthew Carle is the whistleblower for this poster on Sunday 10th December.

Irishman Andrew Brace has been appointed to referee the clash between RC Toulon (winners of the 2023 Challenge Cup) and Exeter Chiefs at Stade Felix Mayol on Saturday 9 December. Englishman Luke Pearce will officiate the meeting between Munster (last season’s United Rugby Championship winners) and Avignon Bayonne at Thomond Park. Another Englishman, Anthony Woodthorpe, will officiate his first Champions Cup match between defending French champions Stade Toulouse and Welsh from Cardiff at the Stade Ernst-Wallen. The complete list of referees for this first day of the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup can be found here.