IRFU Referees in Action Across Europe this Weekend
Frank Murphy is pictured refereeing the pre-season match between Munster and London Irish in Cork ©INPHO/Billy Stickland
IRFU referees are well represented this coming weekend across the Champions and Challenge Cup competitions as well as fixtures in the Rugby Europe Trophy.
On Saturday Frank Murphy takes charge of the all-English clash between Harlequins and Bath in Ulster’s pool. Stuart Gaffikin and Eddie Hogan-O’Connell will support in the assistant referee roles.
In France Sean Gallagher has the whistle as Castres Olympique play host to Worcester Warriors. Nigel Correll and John Carvill will provide support on the touchlines.
Joy Neville will referee the Challenge Cup Pool 2 game between London Irish and Bayonne at the Madejski Stadium with Jonny Erskine and Richard Kerr as assistant referees.
Also, on Saturday, a four-strong team of IRFU referees will be be on duty in Yverdon, Switzerland for the Rugby Europe Trophy.
Eoghan Cross will referee the Under-20 match between Switzerland and Poland, while Robert O’Sullivan will officiate the game between the two nations’ senior sides. Richard Horgan and Oisin Quinn will provide AR support for both fixtures.
On Sunday, IRFU referees are involved in two further Champions Cup fixtures. Andrew Brace is in the middle for Sale Sharks’ clash with La Rochelle with Stuart Gaffikin and Paul Haycock in support. George Clancy will have the whistle as Montpellier host Gloucester with Kieran Barry and Mark Patton as ARs.
IRFU REFEREE APPOINTMENTS – NOVEMBER 23-24:
Saturday, November 23 –
Heineken Champions Cup:
Harlequins v Bath – Frank Murphy (Referee), Stuart Gaffikin (AR1) Eddie Hogan-O’Connell (AR2)
Castres Olympique v Worcester Warriors – Sean Gallagher (Referee), Nigel Correll (AR1), John Carvill (AR2)
European Challenge Cup:
London Irish v Bayonne – Joy Neville (Referee), Jonny Erskine (AR1), Richard Kerr (AR2)
Rugby Europe Trophy:
Switzerland Under-20s v Poland Under-20s – Eoghan Cross (Referee), Richard Horgan (AR1), Oisin Quinn (AR2)
Switzerland v Poland – Robert O’Sullivan (Referee), Richard Horgan (AR1), Oisin Quinn (AR2)
Sunday, November 24 –
Heineken Champions Cup:
Sale Sharks v La Rochelle – Andrew Brace (Referee), Stuart Gaffikin (AR1), Paul Haycock (AR2)
Montpellier v Gloucester – George Clancy (Referee), Kieran Barry (AR1), Mark Patton (AR2)