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Refereeing teams for Champions Cup semi-finals confirmed
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The officiating teams for the Investec Champions Cup semi-finals have been confirmed, with Luke Pearce and Nika Amashukeli getting the nod.
For Leinster’s clash with Toulon on May 2 at the Aviva Stadium, England’s Pearce has been appointed as referee. He will be supported by fellow Englishman Christophe Ridley and Scotland’s Sam Grove-White as assistant referees.
The television match official (TMO) role for that meeting will be Ian Tempest.
The following day, champions Bordeaux-Bègles’ contest with Bath in the second semi-final will be overseen by Georgian referee Amashukeli, who officiated last year’s final as the Bordelais triumphed over Northampton Saints in Cardiff.
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He will be joined by Italy’s Gianluca Gnecchi and Ireland’s Eoghan Cross as assistant referees, while Ben Whitehouse takes on TMO duties.
Bordeaux are aiming to be the sixth side to defend their European title, but they must overcome the reigning English champions Bath, who are looking to reach their first final since being crowned champions of Europe in 1998.
Leinster, meanwhile, will be looking to reach their fourth final in five years and to add a fourth star to their jersey. They will enter the match in Dublin as strong favourites against a Toulon side that produced a surprise quarter-final victory over United Rugby Championship leaders Glasgow Warriors in Scotstoun. The Top 14 outfit do have pedigree in the competition, winning an unprecedented three consecutive titles between 2013 and 2015.
Elsewhere, France’s Pierre Brousset will officiate Ulster’s Challenge Cup meeting with Exeter Chiefs at at Affidea Stadium, while Andrew Brace will take charge of Sunday’s semi-final between Montpellier and Dragons at Septeo Stadium.
Brousset will be supported by assistant referees Luc Ramos and Craig Evans in Belfast, with Eric Gauzins working as TMO. Karl Dickson and Filippo Russo will serve as assistants to Brace for the second semi-final, with Olly Hodges the TMO.
