Brace Leads IRFU Team Of Officials For 2020 Challenge Cup Final

Andrew Brace will lead an IRFU team of match officials for next weekend’s European Challenge Cup final between Bristol Bears and Toulon at Stade Maurice-David, tournament organisers EPCR have confirmed.

The appointments for the 2020 decider on Friday 16th October were announced today following a meeting of the EPCR’s selection committee, chaired by EPCR’s Head of Match Officials, Joel Jutge.

Brace, who recently took charge of the Guinness PRO14 final and Heineken Champions Cup semi-final between Exeter Chiefs and Toulouse, will be assisted by fellow IRFU High Performance referees Frank Murphy and George Clancy as Assistant Referees. TMO Brian McNeice and Citing Commissioner Tim Lowry complete the Irish team of officials.

It has been an excellent return to action for Irish officials in recent weeks and the appointment of Brace for his first European final is another significant marker in the 32-year-old’s career, having carried out Assistant Referee duties at the Rugby World Cup in Japan last year.

Meanwhile, Nigel Owens has been appointed to referee the 2020 Heineken Champions Cup final between Exeter Chiefs and Racing 92 at Ashton Gate on Saturday 17th October. Peter Ferguson of the IRFU will fulfil the role of Citing Commissioner.

Match Official Appointments:

Challenge Cup final – Bristol Bears v RC Toulon
Friday 16th October – Stade Maurice-David, Aix-en-Provence (8pm)
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ire); Assistant referees: Frank Murphy (Ire), George Clancy (Ire); TMO: Brian McNeice (Ire)

Heineken Champions Cup final – Exeter Chiefs v Racing 92
Saturday 17th October – Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol (4.45pm).
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wal); Assistant referees: Mike Adamson (Sco), Craig Evans (Wal); TMO: Ian Davies (Wal).