EPCR confirms Round of 16 Match Officials as attentions turn to the knockout stages

Andrew Brace will oversee the first Investec Champions Cup match of the Round of 16.

With under three weeks to go until the highly anticipated return of EPCR club rugby action, the Match Official appointments for the Round of 16 in both the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup have been confirmed.

The 64-strong panel of referees, assistant referees and TMOs, representing eight unions, have been appointed by a committee led by EPCR’s Head of Match Officials, Tony Spreadbury. These officials will oversee 16 crucial knockout stage encounters.

As the road to the 2025 EPCR Finals Weekend at Principality Stadium (23-24 May) begins to unfold, the knockout stages of both tournaments will get underway on the 4, 5, and 6 April, marking the next stage in the battle for club rugby’s ultimate prize.

Investec Champions Cup Round of 16 Match Official highlights

• The action begins with Andrew Brace (Ireland) refereeing the first match of the weekend, as Northampton Saints, who finished top of Pool 3 and qualified for the knockout stage in third place, host ASM Clermont Auvergne at cinch Stadium @ Franklin's Gardens.

• Saturday’s showdowns kick off with Nika Amashukeli (Georgia) in charge the clash of two three-time champions, RC Toulon and Saracens, at Stade Félix Mayol.

• England’s Karl Dickson will referee Benetton Rugby’s first Champions Cup knockout stage match, as the Italians take on Castres Olympique at Stade Pierre-Fabre.

• England's Luke Pearce, fresh off his Six Nations duties, will take charge of Union Bordeaux-Bègles – the highest-ranked club after an undefeated pool stage – as they host Ulster Rugby in an exciting clash to kick off Sunday’s Champions Cup action at Stade Chaban-Delmas.

EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16 Match Official highlights

• France's Ludovic Cayre will referee the opening game of the EPCR Challenge Cup as Edinburgh Rugby, who topped their pool to qualify third, face off against Emirates Lions at home at the Hive Stadium.

• Simultaneously, Scotland’s Hollie Davidson will oversee the match between Section Paloise and Bath Rugby at Stade du Hameau – the first meeting between the sides in the competition since the 2016/17 season.

• South Africa’s Morné Ferreira to referee at GGL Stadium as Montpellier Hérault Rugby - two-time winners, who qualified second - host last year's finalists Gloucester Rugby.

• Saturday night’s EPCR Challenge Cup action brings two exciting encounters. Luc Ramos (France) will referee Connacht Rugby, the highest-ranked club after a perfect pool stage, as they host Cardiff Rugby at Dexcom Stadium, with Cardiff hoping to reach a home city Final.

• At the same time, Gianluca Gnechhi (Italy) will officiate what is set to be a thrilling battle between USAP and Racing 92 at Stade Aimé Giral, as the two TOP 14 rivals clash for a coveted place in the next round.

• The EPCR Challenge Cup weekend will conclude with a double-header of action. Matthew Carley (England), fresh from his Six Nations duties, will referee the Ospreys v Scarlets Welsh derby at Swansea.com Stadium. Meanwhile, in France, Federico Vedovelli (ITA) will referee as Lyon Olympique Universitaire will look to use their home advantage at Matmut Stadium de Gerland to overcome the Hollywoodbets Sharks, who qualified from the Investec Champions Cup.

• Christophe Ridley (ENG) is the man in the middle for the clash between Aviron Bayonnais and the Vodacom Bulls.

The Round of 16 promises to deliver high-stakes drama as the best clubs from Europe and South Africa compete for a spot in the next stage.