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New ground set to be broken as unknown Georgian referee handed plum round three Champions Cup tie

By Online Editors
(Photo by Paul Harding/Getty Images)

Nika Amashukeli of Georgia will make his debut as a Heineken Champions Cup referee when he takes charge of the round three fixture between Pool B joint-leaders Racing 92 and Harlequins at Paris La Defense Arena on Sunday, January 17.

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The selection of the unheralded Amashukeli for the high-profile live TV fixture is one of 38 referee appointments for rounds three and four of the Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge Cup announced on Wednesday by a committee chaired by Joel Jutge, the EPCR head of match officials.

The inclusion of Amashukeli on the roster isn’t the only eye-catching development as two women new to this level have also been appointed to take charge of Challenge Cup preliminary round fixtures.

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Goodbye 2020!

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Goodbye 2020!

England’s Sara Cox will make her debut as a referee in European competition when she takes charge of Agen vs Benetton at Stade Armandie on January 15. Similarly, the following day, Hollie Davidson of Scotland will referee her first Challenge Cup fixture when Newcastle Falcons host Castres Olympique at Kingston Park.

Returning to Champions Cup, Ireland’s Frank Murphy will be in the middle for the key Pool B showdown at Sandy Park between holders Exeter Chiefs and Toulouse on January 16 while Luke Pearce of England has been appointed to referee the eagerly awaited return match between Munster and Clermont at Thomond Park that same day.

Also in Pool B, England’s Christophe Ridley will be in charge of the clash of joint-leaders, Lyon and Glasgow Warriors at Matmut Stadium de Gerland. At the top of Pool A, Leinster’s meeting with Northampton at Franklin’s Gardens on January 15 will be refereed by Alexandre Ruiz of France.

Scotland’s Mike Adamson has been appointed for the head-to-head between Montpellier and Wasps at the GGL Stadium the following day. Karl Dickson of England will be in the middle when unbeaten Bordeaux-Bègles take on the Dragons at Rodney Parade on January 17 while the clash of Bath and in-form La Rochelle at the Recreation Ground on the same day will be refereed by Wales’ Ben Whitehouse (click here for all round three and four appointments).

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Trevor 1 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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B
Bull Shark 5 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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