Bilbao 2018 - Champions/Challenge Cup Match Officials

Wayne Barnes will take charge of the 2018 Champions Cup Final between three-times victors Leinster Rugby and Top 14 giants Racing 92 at the San Mamés Stadium, Bilbao on May 12.

It will be his 70th tournament match and his second European Cup final after taking charge of the decider back in 2010.

France's Jérome Garces has been appointed to referee the Challenge Cup final between the Cardiff Blues and Gloucester Rugby again at the San Mamés Stadium on Friday, 11 May, while Ben Whitehouse of Wales will take charge of the Continental Shield final which pits holders, Enisei-STM, against Heidelberger RK of Germany in Getxo on Saturday, 12 May.

The appointments were announced today (Tuesday, 1 May) by EPCR's selection committee which is chaired by the tournament organiser's Head of Match Officials, Joël Jutge.

Barnes' assistant referees in Bilbao will be JP Doyle and Tom Foley also of the RFU, while the French duo of Romain Poite and Pascal Gauzère will run the line for Garcès who will be refereeing the Challenge Cup final for a third time.

Challenge Cup final - Cardiff Blues v Gloucester Rugby
Friday, 11 May - San Mamés Stadium (21.00).
Referee: Jérome Garcès (Fra); Assistant referees: Romain Poite (Fra), Pascal Gauzère (Fra); TMO: Philippe Bonhoure (Fra); Citing Commissioner: Maurizio Vancini (Ita).

Continental Shield final - Enisei-STM v Heidelberger RK
Saturday, 12 May - Campo Rugby Fadura, Getxo (12.00)
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (Wal); Assistant referees: Ian Davies (Wal), Dan Jones (Wal); TMO: Neil Hennessy (Wal); Citing Commissioner: Dave Guyan (Eng).

Champions Cup final - Leinster Rugby v Racing 92
Saturday, 12 May - San Mamés Stadium (17.45).
Referee: Wayne Barnes (Eng); Assistant referees: JP Doyle (Eng), Tom Foley (Eng); TMO: Rowan Kitt (Eng); Citing Commissioner: John Montgomery (Sco).