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EPCR to make history with all women refereeing team

By Kim Ekin
(Photo by Hannah Peters - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

The EPCR will make history when an all-women team of match officials take charge of the Challenge Cup fixture between the Scarlets and Toyota Cheetahs on Friday, January 13th.

The match, which will be held at Parc y Scarlets, will be refereed by Scotland's Hollie Davidson, with Sara Cox of England and Clara Munarini of Italy serving as assistant referees. England's Claire Hodnett and Ireland's Helen O'Reilly will serve as TMO and Citing Commissioner, respectively.

The appointments for Rounds 3 and 4 of the Heineken Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup were announced by a committee chaired by EPCR's Head of Match Officials, Tony Spreadbury. In the Heineken Champions Cup, Mathieu Raynal of France will referee the Round 3 match between the Vodacom Bulls and Exeter Chiefs, which will be held at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, January 14th.

On the same day, France's Pierre Brousset will referee the Leinster versus Gloucester match at Kingsholm.

In Pool A of the Heineken Champions Cup, Andrea Piardi of Italy has been appointed to referee the Saracens versus Lyon match at StoneX Stadium, and Luke Pearce of England will referee the Cell C Sharks versus Union Bordeaux-Bègles match at Hollywoodbets Kings Park.

In Pool B, Georgia's Nika Amashukeli will referee the Stade Rochelais versus Ulster match at Stade Marcel Deflandre on Saturday, January 14th, while Scotland's Mike Adamson will be in charge of the Stade Toulousain versus. Sale Sharks match at AJ Bell Stadium. Ireland's Frank Murphy will referee the Leicester Tigers versus ASM Clermont Auvergne match at Stade Marcel-Michelin on Friday, January 13th.

The Section Paloise versus Dragons RFC match in Pool B at Stade du Hameau on Friday, January 13th will be refereed by Ireland's Eoghan Cross.