With intensity levels in the Heineken Champions Cup set to rise even higher next month, the Round 3 clash at Franklin’s Gardens of the Pool 1 pacesetters, Northampton Saints and Leinster Rugby, will be refereed by France’s Alexandre Ruiz, while Dan Jones of Wales has been appointed for the return fixture in Round 4 at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.

Click HERE for the referee appointments for Rounds 3 and 4 of the 2019/20 Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge Cup

Romain Poite of France will take charge of what promises to be another major European confrontation at Thomond Park between Munster Rugby and holders, Saracens, on Saturday, 7 December, with his compatriot, Pascal Gauzère, in the middle for the Round 4 match at Allianz Park.

The back-to-back fixtures in Pool 5 between frontrunners, Toulouse, and Montpellier at Stade Ernest Wallon and the GGL Stadium will be handled by England’s Wayne Barnes and Nigel Owens of Wales respectively.

France’s Mathieu Raynal for Round 3 and his countryman, Pierre Brousset, in Round 4 have been appointed for the all-Gallagher Premiership matches between Sale Sharks and the in-form Exeter Chiefs who are riding high in Pool 2 with maximum points.

The Pool 3 contests between leaders, Ulster Rugby, and Harlequins will be refereed by Scotland’s Mike Adamson (Round 3) and Ruiz (Round 4), while Frank Murphy of Ireland and England’s Luke Pearce will be in the middle on 7 December at the Liberty Stadium and 13 December at Paris La Défense Arena respectively when the Ospreys and Racing 92 meet in Pool 4.

The 25^th anniversary season of the tournament resumes on Friday, 6 December when Bath Rugby take on ASM Clermont Auvergne at the Recreation Ground where Ireland’s Andrew Brace will be in charge, and Ben Whitehouse of Wales has been appointed for the return fixture at Stade Marcel-Michelin.

In the Challenge Cup, George Clancy of Ireland will referee the Round 3 match-up of Pool 3 leaders, Edinburgh Rugby, and Wasps at BT Murrayfield, on Friday, 6 December, while Whitehouse will be in the middle for the meeting of RC Toulon and London Irish at Stade Félix Mayol the following day.

The Round 3 games between Worcester Warriors and the Dragons at Sixways, and between Bristol Bears and Stade Français Paris at Ashton Gate will be handled by Italy’s Marius Mitrea and Jones respectively.

The referee appointments for the crucial back-to-back fixtures in Rounds 3 and 4 of the Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge Cup have been made by a selection committee chaired by Joel Jutge, EPCR’s Head of Match Officials.