It’s the opening round of the European club competitions this weekend with plenty of referees around the grounds. Last season’s Investec Champions Cup winners, Bordeaux Bègles start the new campaign away in South Africa with Karl Dickson (pictured top left) heading south too. The Svns circuit also travels south to Cape Town for round 2. French referee, Dorianne Constanty (top right) is making her 7s debut in the women’s competition.

There’s the one Rugby Europe international with Luxembourg hosting Estonia. Austria’s Philip Manolopoulos (bottom right) will take charge of that one. Around Europe, we’ve got the MOs for leagues across England, France, Netherlands (where Katherine Ritchie (bottom left) oversees the Hoek van Holland v RC ‘t Gooi match), Italy, Portugal, Scotland and Ireland. And elsewhere, the Hong Kong China men’s and women’s premierships return.

Enjoy your rugby this weekend
Keith

World Svns Series – round 2, Cape Town

Men’s: George Selwood (Eng) , AJ Jacobs (SA), Tevita Rokovereni (Fit) & Nick Hogan (NZ)
Women’s: Zoe Naude (SA), Kat Roche (USA), Chloe Sampson (NZ) & Dorianne Constanty (Fra)

Rugby Europe Conference

Luxembourg v Estonia
Referee: Philip Manolopoulos (Aut)

Europe: Investec Champions Cup – round 1

Sale Sharks v Glasgow Warriors
Referee: Pierre Brousset (Fra)
ARs: Vincent Blasco-Baque (Fra) & Julien Caulier (Fra)
TMO: Tual Trainini (Fra)

Aviron Bayonnais v DHL Stormers
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Geo)
ARs: Saba Abulashvili (Geo) & Saba Makharadze (Geo)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wal)

Saracens v ASM Clermont Auvergne
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Sco)
ARs: Ru Campbell (Sco) & Jonny Mackenzie (Sco)
TMO: Mike Adamson (Sco)

Vodacom Bulls v Union Bordeaux Bègles
Referee: Karl Dickson (Eng)
ARs: Luke Pearce (Eng) & Joe James (Eng)
TMO: Ian Tempest (Eng)

Leinster Rugby v Harlequins
Referee: Craig Evans (Wal)
ARs: Adam Jones (Wal) & Ben Breakspear (Wal)
TMO: Keith David (Wal)

Stade Rochelais v Leicester Tigers
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ire)
ARs: Eoghan Cross (Ire) & Robbie Jenkinson (Ire)
TMO: Olly Hodges (Ire)

Bath Rugby v Munster Rugby
Referee: Jeremy Rozier (Fra)
ARs: Thomas Charabas (Fra) & Benjamin Hernandez (Fra)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)

Scarlets v Bristol Bears
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (Ita)
ARs: Filippo Russo (Ita) & Franco Rosella (Ita)
TMO: Stefano Roscini (Ita)

Section Paloise v Northampton Saints
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Ita)
ARs: Clara Munarini (Ita) & Alberto Favaro (Ita)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (Ita)

Gloucester Rugby v Castres Olympique
Referee: Sam Grove-White (Sco)
ARs: Ian Kenny (Sco) & Finlay Brown (Sco)
TMO: Andrew McMenemy (Sco)

Stade Toulousain v Hollywoodbets Sharks
Referee: Christophe Ridley (Eng)
ARs: Anthony Woodthorpe (Eng) & Simon Harding (Eng)
TMO: Andrew Jackson (Eng)

Edinburgh Rugby v RC Toulon
Referee: Matthew Carley (Eng)
ARs: Sara Cox (Eng) & Greg Macdonald (Eng)
TMO: Dan Jones (Eng)

Europe: EPCR Challenge Cup

Ulster Rugby v Racing 92
Referee: Ben Breakspear (Wal)
ARs: Adam Jones (Wal) & Carwyn Sion (Wal)
TMO: Aled Griffiths (Wal)

Stade Français Paris v Cardiff Rugby
Referee: Peter Martin (Ire)
ARs: Keane Davison (Ire) & Stuart Gaffikin (Ire)
TMO: Mark Patton (Ire)

Lions v Benetton Rugby
Referee: Kevin Bralley (Fra)
ARs: Luc Ramos (Fra) & Flavien Hourquet (Fra)
TMO: Julien Casteignede (Fra)

Lyon Olympique Universitaire Rugby v Newcastle Red Bulls
Referee: Morne Ferriera (SA)
ARs: Griffin Colby (SA) & Christopher Allison (SA)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)

Black Lion v Montpellier Hérault Rugby
Referee: Adam Leal (Eng)
ARs: Harry Walbaum (Eng) & Calum Howard (Eng)
TMO: Dean Richards (Eng)

Zebre Parma v US Montauban
Referee: Ben Connor (Wal)
ARs: Gareth Newman (Wal) & Aaron Parry (Wal)
TMO: Neil Hennessey (Wal)

USAP v Dragons RFC
Referee: Federico Vedovelli (Ita)
ARs: Riccardo Angelucci (Ita) & Luca Bisetto (Ita)
TMO: Giuesppe Vivarini (Ita)

Ospreys v Connacht Rugby
Referee: Evan Urruzmendi (Fra)
ARs: Pierre-Baptiste Nuchy (Fra) & Cyril Boulay (Fra)
TMO: Patrick Dellac (Fra)

Exeter Chiefs v Toyota Cheetahs
Referee: Benoit Rousselet (Fra)
ARs: Pierre Bru (Fra) & Thomas Cheraque (Fra)
TMO: Denis Grenouillet (Fra)

Rugby Europe Super Cup

Delta v Brussels Devils
Referee: Eki Fanlo (Spa)
ARs: Sébastien Diuritch (Swi) & Jon Ibsate (Spa)

Romanian Wolves v Lusitanos
Referee: Alberto Diaz (Spa)
ARs: Lukasz Jasinski (Pol) & Carlos Guerrero (Spa)

Castilla y Leon Iberians v Bohemia Rugby Warriors
Referee: Diogo Miranda (Por)
ARs: Diogo Inacio (Por) & Edwin van der Spek (Ned)

Portugal: Divisão De Honra

Agronomia Rugby v SL Benfica
Referee: F. Serra
ARs: A. Vidigal & M. Heitor

RC Santarém v CF OS Belenenses
Referee: Pedro M. Silva
ARs: J. Sequeira & N. Pequeno

GDS Cascais v CDUP
Referee: Riccardo Hawkes
ARs: D. Bruges & N. Pequeno

CDUL v RC Montemor
Referee: Juan Diez
ARs: L. Miranda & R. Malebo

CR São Miguel v Aa Coimbra
Referee: M. Minelli
ARs: P. M. Silva & M. Heitor

GD Direito v CR Técnico
Referee: Paulo Duarte
ARs: J. Sequeira & G. Colmonero

Netherlands: Ereklasse (Men’s)

Breda RC v Haagsche RC
Referee: Liam Wright

RFC Haarlem v RC The Dukes
Referee: Oliver Hadfield

AAC v RC Eemland
Referee: Koen Maaijen

Hoek van Holland v RC ‘t Gooi
Referee: Katherine Ritchie

Rotterdam RC v RC DIOK
Referee: Dan O’Connell RFC

Oisterwijk Oysters v Castricum RC
Referee: Conrad Riepe

Scotland: Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership

Glasgow Hawks v Watsonians
Referee: David Young
ARs: Sean Mallon & Bryan Johnston

Kelso v GHA
Referee: Michael Todd
ARs: Willie Anderson & Stephen Ward

Heriot’s Rugby Men v Currie Chieftains
Referee: Chelsea Gillespie
ARs: Scott Cubitt & Brian McGuff

Selkirk v Hawick
Referee: Daniel Evans
ARs: Sean Mallon & Bob Nevins

Ayr v Melrose Rugby
Referee: Ciaran Stark
ARs: Jake Garrod & Alistair Watt

Scotland: Arnold Clark Women’s Premiership

Cartha Queens Park WRFC v Garioch WRFC
Referee: Angus Healy
ARs: Walter Gaffney & Duncan Pine

England: The Champ

Chinnor v Nottingham Rugby
Referee: Hamish Grant
ARs: Mike Hudson & Kieron Henry

Richmond v Ampthill
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
ARs: TBC & Gareth Holsgrove

Hartpury v Doncaster Knights
Referee: Alex Thomas
ARs: Iain Kiy & Kevin Williams

Coventry v London Scottish
Referee: Jamie Parr
ARs: Neil Chivers & Gregg Dawson

Ealing Trailfinders v Caldy
Referee: TBC
ARs: Jonathan Cook & Veryan Boscawen

Bedford Blues v Cambridge
Referee: Charlie Gayther
ARs: Owen Taylor & Simon Adams

Worcester Warriors v Cornish Pirates
Referee: Benjamin Wood
ARs: Jack Sutton & Holly Wood

England: The PWR

Exeter Chiefs Women v Bristol Bears Women
Referee: Henry Pearson
ARs: TBC & Jenny Burrows

Gloucester-Hartpury Women v Ealing Trailfinders Women
Referee: Nikki O’Donnell
ARs: Jamie Leahy & Mike Woods
TMO: Peter Allan

Leicester Tigers Women v Harlequins Women
Referee: Andy Wigley
ARs: Rosanna Procter & Simon Park

Saracens Women v Loughborough Lightning
Referee: Michael Lamb
ARs: Kieron Henry & Darryl Chapman

France: ProD2 – round 13

Colomiers Rugby v FC Grenoble Rugby
Referee: Anthony Lac
ARs: Damien Dauvissat & Danny Groizeleau
TMO: Philippe Bonhoure

US Carcassonnaise v RC Vannes
Referee: Aurelie Groizeleau
ARs: Hugo Dutreuilh & Yannick Vals
TMO: Herve Lasausa Lespy Labaylette

AS Béziers Hérault v Soyaux-Angoulême XV
Referee: Jonathan Dufort
ARs: Wissam Baamara & Richard Duhau
TMO: Christophe Berdos

Biarritz Olympique PB v Valence Romans
Referee: Jonathan Gasnier
ARs: Ludovic Carrillo & Ghyslain Elias
TMO: Patrick Pechambert

Stade Aurillacois v CA Brive
Referee: Mathieu Noirot
ARs: Remi Aiguebonne & Sylvain Brayelle
TMO: Jean Luc Rebollal

Stade Montois Rugby v Oyonnax Rugby
Referee: Thibault Santamaria
ARs: Vincent Chouquet & Hugues Samora
TMO: Laurent Sclafer

USON Nevers v US Dax
Referee: Stephane Coulon
ARs: Sylvain Jaymes & Charles Morel
TMO: Cedric Marchat

SU Agen v Provence Rugby
Referee: Adrien Marbot
ARs: Thierry Mallet & Vivien Praderie
TMO: Jean Lespes

Ireland: Energia All Ireland League

Lansdowne v UCD
Referee: Jack MacNeice

Ballynahinch v St Marys College RFC
Referee: Ross Whitfield

Cork Constitution v Old Belvedere
Referee: Andrew Cole

Nenagh Ormond v Clontarf
Referee: Max Weston

Terenure College RFC v Young Munster
Referee: Padraic Reidy

Ireland: Energia Womens AIL League

Ennis RFC v Railway Union
Referee: Dave Sheehan

Galwegians v Blackrock College RFC
Referee: TBC

Ballincollig v Wicklow
Referee: TBC

Old Belvedere v Cooke
Referee: TBC

Uni of Limerick v Bohemian Tullow
Referee: TBC

Italy: Serie A Elite Machine (Men’s)

Rugby Rovigo Delta v Valorugby Emilia
Referee: Drio Merli
ARs: Manuel Bottino & Ferdinando Cusano
TMO: Alex Frasson

Rugby Lyons v Rugby Petrarca
Referee: Riccardo Bonato
ARs: Matteo Angelo Locatelli & Antonio Santocono
TMO: Carlo Damasco

G.S. Fiamme Oro Rugby Roma v Rugby Vicenza 2025
Referee: Daniele Pompa
ARs: Fabio Taggi & Francesco Pier’antoni
TMO: Vincenzo Schipani

Biella Rugby Club v Mogliano Veneto Rugby
Referee: Manuel Bottino
ARs: Francesco Meschini & Antonio Luzza
TMO: Filippo Bertelli

Rugby Viadana 1970 v Rugby Colorno 1975
Referee: Dante D’elia
ARs: Filippo Vinci & Giona Righetti
TMO: Alex Frasson

Italy: Serie A Elite Femminile

Villorba Rugby v Neapolis R.Fem.T.Campania Felix
Referee: Jaco Stephanus Erasmus
ARs: Marco Vianello & Giovanni Garro

Valsugana Rugby Padova v Rugby Colorno
Referee: Alice Torra
ARs: Ferdinando Cusano & Gianpietro Legnaro

CUS Torino v Unione Rugby Capitolina
Referee: Chiara Carnini
ARs: Gregorio Costa Laja & Nicola Catalfamo

CUS Milano Rugby v Benetton Rugby Treviso
Referee: Anna Catagini
ARs: Paolo Rumi & Giovanni Colombo

Hong Kong China: Nan Fung Group AIRSIDE Men’s Premiership

HKFC Natixis Club v MND Hong Kong Scottish
Referee: Francesco Cammisa (24th Prem Appointment)
ARs: Morgan White & Craig Chan

Societe Generale Valley v Kowloon Rugby Club
Referee: Craig Chan (42nd Prem Appointment)
ARs: Francesco Cammisa & Steven Yuen

Kroll USRC Tigers v HKU Sandy Bay
Referee: Morgan White (34th Prem Appointment)
ARs: Thomas Ngan & Shane Barr

Hong Kong China: Nan Fung Group AIRSIDE Women’s Premiership

Societe Generale Valley v Kowloon Rugby Women
Referee: Jan Tang (10th WPrem Appointment)
ARs: Patrick Kwok & Jackie Ho

HKFC Natixis Ice v Gai Wu Falcons
Referee: Nico Fox (2nd WPrem Appointment)
ARs: Sam Brown & Sam Chan

USRC Tigers Women v Causeway Sandy Bay
Referee: Sunny Lee (22nd WPrem Appointment)
ARs: Katsu Shichiji & Daniel Cao

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