The final pool stage fixtures took place back in January and it will be six months between matches when the quarter-finals take place on the weekend of 18/19/20 September, including a repeat of last season’s final between Leinster Rugby and Saracens.

Barnes – who has refereed the showpiece final on multiple occasions – admitted whilst it was nice to have some time off, he is raring to go when the domestic and European action gets back under way.

"Bracey [Andrew Brace] and Luke [Pearce} are very much at the start of their international career whereas myself and Romain have been on that treadmill for perhaps 12-15 years now and to go that long without a break, that’s what has been really nice just to have that time away,” Barnes said.

“But now we are all excited as I say, three to six months without doing anything so we can’t wait to get back on the horse.

“It’s been a great opportunity to spend some time with the family. With the World Cup, we were away for ten weeks and then we got back to European games when you travel on a Friday and get back on a Sunday.

“So this has been a great opportunity to do that and learn about home schooling as well! I always used to admire teachers but now the teaching profession has gone sky high in my book because my phonics and my maths has been shown up by my five-year-old.”

Heineken Champions Cup referee Wayne Barnes has said he’s excited to get back to refereeing in Europe’s elite club competition in September.