The EPCR has revealed who it have entrusted with the showpiece final of the Champions Cup on May 13th and unsurprisingly, the reigns have been handed to the best in the business, Nigel Owens.
Set to take charge of his 100th European club match, Owens will take charge of the mammoth clash between Top 14 giants ASM Clermont Auvergne and defending champions Saracens at the BT Murrayfield stadium in Edinburgh.
Nigel Owens will referee his 100th tournament match when he takes charge of this season’s #ChampionsCup final at BT Murrayfield pic.twitter.com/FkXb6DloLA
— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) May 3, 2017
It will be Owens’ third final in a row and emphasises the high regard in which he is held within world rugby.
The EPCR also announced that Ireland’s John Lacey will oversee the Challenge Cup final between Gloucester and Stade Francais at the same venue on May 12th, his second successive final.
John Lacey will referee this season’s #ERChallengeCup Final at BT Murrayfield assisted by Andrew Brace & Ben Whitehouse pic.twitter.com/20k8WttzO4
— Challenge Cup (@ERChallengeCup) May 3, 2017
As both tournaments gear up for the final matches of an enthralling season, players, coaches and fans alike will be confident and reassured by the EPCR’s selections for the two finals.
Owens’ position in the centre of the park for the clash between the Aviva Premiership champions and the Top 14 giants will ensure that the physical tussle that both sides will engage in, will be expertly controlled by the Welsh referee, without adversely impacting the spectacle of the game.
Gary Brennan, Pundit Arena
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On the Oval Office rugby podcast this week, we hear from Gordon D’Arcy and Nick Evans, and talk PRO12, Premiership and Lions midfield.
https://soundcloud.com/punditarenarugby/nick-evans-mike-brown-gordon-darcy-and-much-more
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Read More About: challenge cup final, champiosn cup final, john lacey, nigel owens, Rugby, rugby news, Rugby referee
