Andrew Brace and Nigel Owens take charge of European Finals

Nigel Owens of Wales and Ireland’s Andrew Brace have been appointed to referee the 2020 Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge Cup finals respectively following a meeting of a selection committee chaired by EPCR’s Head of Match Officials, Joel Jutge.

The vastly-experienced Owens will be taking charge of his seventh Heineken Champions Cup final, and his ninth European club decider in all, when Exeter Chiefs go head-to-head with Racing 92 at Ashton Gate on Saturday week (17 October).

Owens, who will be in the middle for his 115th tournament match, will have Scotland’s Mike Adamson and Craig Evans of Wales as his assistants, while Ian Davies, also of Wales, has been appointed as TMO.

Meanwhile, the Challenge Cup final meeting of Bristol Bears and RC Toulon in Aix-en-Provence on Friday week (16 October) will see Brace refereeing his first European final after taking charge of last month’s Guinness PRO14 decider.

Brace will be assisted by Frank Murphy and George Clancy, also of Ireland, with Brian McNeice as TMO.

Challenge Cup final – Bristol Bears v RC Toulon

Friday 16 October – Stade Maurice-David, Aix-en-Provence (21.00)
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ire); Assistant referees: Frank Murphy (Ire), George Clancy (Ire); TMO: Brian McNeice (Ire)

Heineken Champions Cup final – Exeter Chiefs v Racing 92

Saturday 17 October – Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol (16.45)
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wal); Assistant referees: Mike Adamson (Sco), Craig Evans (Wal); TMO: Ian Davies (Wal)