ERC appoints referees for semis

The European Rugby Cup (ERC), the body which is responsible for the running of the Heineken Cup and the Amlin Challenge Cup, has appointed referees to the semifinals of each of those competitions.

The appointments of referees and assistant referees were made by the ERC Match Officials Sub Committee in conjunction with the referee managers in each Union. Deciding the appointments is based on the performances of referees and assistant referees during the competitors.

Heineken Cup Semifinals

Romain Poite of France, who refereed the 2011 Heineken Cup Final, will referee the first semifinal, Wayne Barnes the second.

Ulster vs Edinburgh Rugby at Aviva Stadium, Dublin, on Saturday, 28 April 2012
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
Assistant referees: Jérôme Garces (France), Pascal Gauzere (France)

Clermont Auvergne vs Leinster at Stade Chaban-Delmas, Bordeaux, on Sunday, 29 April 2012
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Assistant referees: Nigel Owens (Wales), Dave Pearson (England)

The Heineken Cup Final will be played at Twickenham on Saturday, 19 May 2012.

Amlin Challenge Cup Semifinals

There are only French sides in the Amlin Challenge Cup semifinals. The matches will take place in Toulon and Biarritz, each with an Irish referee.

Toulon vs Stade Français at Stade Félix Mayol, Toulon, on Friday, 27 April 2012
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)
Assistant referees: John Lacey (Ireland), Dudley Phillips (Ireland)

Biarritz vs Brive at Parc des Sports Aguiléra, Biarritz, on Saturday, 28 April 2012
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Greg Garner (England), Simon McDowell (Ireland)

The Amlin Challenge Cup Final will be played at the Twickenham Stoop on Friday, 18 May 2012.