Investec Champions Cup and Challenge Cup semi-final match officials revealed

Lille, France. 7th Oct, 2023. Referee Andrew Brace looks towards the big screen during the Rugby World Cup 2023 match at Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille. Picture credit should read: Paul Thomas/Sportimage Credit: Sportimage Ltd/Alamy Live News

The Investec Champions Cup and Challenge Cup match officials have been confirmed for the upcoming semi-final encounters.

A Frenchman will take charge of Leinster’s clash against Northampton Saints at Croke Park with Mathieu Raynal selected to be the referee.

Raynal will be assisted by his fellow countrymen Pierre Brousset and Luc Ramos, who are his assistants, while Thomas Charabas is the television match official.

In the other Champions Cup semi-final between Toulouse and Harlequins at 16:00 local time (15:00 BST, 14:00 GMT) on Sunday, May 5, it will be an all-Irish officiating team led by Andrew Brace, who has been chosen to referee the game.

Chris Busby and Eoghan Cross will run the lines with Olly Hodges in support as the TMO.

Challenge Cup officials

The Challenge Cup match officials have also been selected as Englishman Luke Pearce takes charge of the Sharks v Clermont Auvergne encounter and is joined by assistants Karl Dickson and Matthew Carley.

In an experienced team, Tom Foley is the TMO for the encounter, which begins the semi-final action at 13:30 local time (12:30 BST, 11:30 GMT) on Saturday, May 4.

The next last-four clash between Gloucester and Benetton follows at 15:00 BST (14:00 GMT), and talented Georgian referee Nika Amashukeli has been chosen for that duel.

It is the only game where the officiating quartet will not be from the same country, with Amashukeli being supported by Scottish duo Mike Adamson and Sam Grove-White.

The line-up is completed by Welshman Ben Whitehouse, who will be the TMO for that game.

After those Challenge Cup ties have been completed and the finalists decided, attention turns to the Champions Cup and Leinster v Northampton which kicks off at 17:30 BST (16:30 GMT) before Toulouse v Harlequins on the Sunday.

Champions Cup: Semi-final ties and dates confirmed

Champions Cup semi-final officials

Leinster Rugby v Northampton Saints

Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)

Assistant referees: Pierre Brousset (France), Luc Ramos (France)

TMO: Thomas Charabas (France)

Stade Toulousain v Harlequins

Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)

Assistant referees: Chris Busby (Ireland), Eoghan Cross (Ireland)

TMO: Olly Hodges (Ireland)

Challenge Cup semi-final officials

Hollywoodbets Sharks v ASM Clermont Auvergne

Referee: Luke Pearce (England)

Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England), Matthew Carley (England)

TMO: Tom Foley (England)

Gloucester Rugby v Benetton Rugby

Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)

Assistant referees: Mike Adamson (Scotland), Sam Grove-White (Scotland)

TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)