EPCR confirms semi-finals Match Officials with TMO reviews to be heard live in-stadium

Pierre Brousset.

With the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup semi-finals this weekend, EPCR has officially confirmed the match official appointments for these crucial fixtures on the road to the Cardiff 2025 Finals.

In a first for the competition, EPCR has also announced that referees’ decisions will be broadcast over stadium public address systems for the Investec Champions Cup semi-finals and for both finals in Cardiff. This will allow fans in attendance to hear the real-time discussions and reasoning behind decisions made between the referee and the television match official (TMO).

Referee microphones are already broadcast into stadiums during international fixtures including the Six Nations and are currently being trialled in the United Rugby Championship and Premiership. Inclusion in the Investec Champions Cup semi-finals marks an important step forward in bringing transparency to club rugby.

Tony Spreadbury, EPCR’s Head of Match Officials said: “Allowing fans to hear how decisions are made on the pitch will enhance the matchday experience and help educate spectators in real time. It’s an exciting step towards making the game more accessible to newcomers, and we’re thrilled to introduce this feature during such a pivotal stage of the competition.”

Rugby fans can look forward to a thrilling weekend on Saturday and Sunday, as teams fight for a spot in the Finals and the chance to lift the prestigious trophies in Cardiff on 23 and 24 May.

An experienced group of referees, assistant referees, and TMOs - representing seven different unions - will oversee the four semi-final showdowns across both competitions.

Pierre Brousset of France will take charge of the first Investec Champions Cup semi-final this weekend, as Leinster Rugby face Northampton Saints at the Aviva Stadium.

On Sunday, Ireland’s Andrew Brace will officiate the second semi-final at Matmut ATLANTIQUE, where Union Bordeaux-Bègles meet defending champions Stade Toulousain - both clubs remain unbeaten in this season’s competition.

The EPCR Challenge Cup action begins Saturday at the Hive Stadium, with Georgia’s Nika Amashukeli refereeing the clash between Edinburgh Rugby and Bath Rugby.

Sunday’s Challenge Cup semi-final sees England’s Karl Dickson oversee the matchup between Lyon Olympique Universitaire and Racing 92 at Matmut Stadium de Gerland.