Neutral referee appointments have been confirmed for the first six rounds of the Guinness PRO14 as the new season kicks off this weekend.
All seven appointments for Round 1, which have been made by Elite Referee Manager, Greg Garner, are neutral and this will continue right up to Round 6. Additionally, the majority of Assistant Referee 2 and Television Match Official appointments are neutral.
This weekend’s line-up of referees will combine for a total of 353 Championship appearances with an average of 50 appearances per official. Additionally, five of the seven referees have previously been appointed to World Rugby international fixtures.
Match Official Appointments for R1 of the Guinness PRO14 presented by Big Red Cloud
Friday, September 27
Toyota Cheetahs v Glasgow Warriors – KO 19:05 (SA) / 18:05 (UK) Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein Referee: Dan Jones (WRU, 25thChampionship game) AR1: Ben Crouse (SARU), AR2: Griffin Colby (SARU) TMO:Lourens Van Der Merve (SARU)
Ulster v Ospreys – KO 19:35 Kingspan Stadium, Belfast Referee:Marius Mitrea (FIR, 91stChampionship game) AR1:Sean Gallagher (IRFU), AR2:Andrea Piardi (FIR) TMO:Stefano Penne (FIR)
Saturday, September 28
Munster v Dragons – KO 15:00 Thomond Park Stadium, Limerick Referee:Ben Blain (SRU, 3rdChampionship game) AR1:Frank Murphy (IRFU), AR2:Fin Brown (SRU) TMO:Andrew McMenemy (SRU)
Isuzu Southern Kings v Cardiff Blues – KO 16:00 (SA) / 15:00 (UK) Nelson Mandela Stadium, Port Elizabeth Referee:Mike Adamson (SRU, 36thChampionship game) AR1:Divan Uys (SARU), AR2:Paul Mente (SARU) TMO:Christie Du Preez (SARU)
Benetton Rugby v Leinster – KO 18:15 (ITA) / 17:15 (UK) Stadio Monigo, Treviso Referee:Ben Whitehouse (WRU, 59thChampionship game) AR1:Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR), AR2:Gwyn Morris (WRU) TMO:Sean Brickell (WRU)
Scarlets v Connacht – KO 17:15 Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli Referee:Stuart Berry (SARU, 24thChampionship game) AR1:Rasta Rasivhenge (SARU) AR2:Mike English (WRU) TMO:Ian Davies (WRU)
Edinburgh v Zebre – KO 19:35 BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh Referee:George Clancy (IRFU, 115thChampionship games) AR1:Sam Grove-White (SRU) AR2:Mark Patton (IRFU) TMO:Brian MacNeice (IRFU)
