Ahead of what promises to be a compelling series of knockout matches on the road to the 2023 Dublin finals, EPCR can announce the referees for the Rounds of 16 of the Heineken Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup who have been appointed by a committee chaired by the organiser’s Head of Match Officials, Tony Spreadbury.

The much-anticipated All-Ireland clash of the No 1-ranked club from Pool A, Leinster Rugby, and Ulster Rugby at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on Saturday 1 April will be refereed by Luke Pearce of England, and on the same day, Scotland’s Mike Adamson will be in charge when Stade Rochelais, the top-ranked club from Pool B, host Gloucester Rugby at Stade Marcel Deflandre.

Click HERE for the referee appointments for the Heineken Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup Rounds of 16

Also on Saturday 1 April, England’s Wayne Barnes will be in the middle for the meeting of the Cell C Sharks and Munster Rugby at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in Durban while Pierre Brousset of France has been appointed for the head-to-head between the DHL Stormers and Harlequins at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town.

On Sunday 2 April, Ireland’s Andrew Brace will be in charge of the Exeter Chiefs v Montpellier Hérault Rugby clash at Sandy Park, Nika Amashukeli will referee the Saracens v Ospreys tie at the StoneX Stadium and England’s Matthew Carley will be in the middle when five-time champions, Stade Toulousain, take on the Vodacom Bulls at Le Stadium.

The Heineken Champions Cup Round of 16 action gets under way on Friday 31 March with the meeting of Leicester Tigers and Edinburgh Rugby at Mattioli Woods Welford Road which will be refereed by Mathieu Raynal of France.

The knockout stage of the EPCR Challenge Cup also kicks off on Friday 31 March when South Africa’s Jaco Peyper will be in charge of the heavyweight meeting of two former tournament winners, Bristol Bears and ASM Clermont Auvergne, at Ashton Gate while Anthony Woodthorpe of England has been appointed for the meeting of the Scarlets and CA Brive at Parc y Scarlets on the same evening.