Leinster allocated controversial referee for Champions Cup opener against French giants

Matthew Carley, who refereed the Ireland-South Africa game last November, will take charge of Leinster's opening Champions Cup game at ASM Clermont.

It is not the kind of appointment the URC champions and last season’s Champions Cup runners-up would have preferred - particularly in relation to Andrew Porter's scrummaging technique.

Most notably, Carley issued FIVE yellow cards against Ireland, who were defeated 13-24, at the Aviva that day.

Ryan, Sam Prendergast, Jack Crowley, Andrew Porter and Paddy McCarthy all fell foul of Carley as Ireland briefly played with 12 men in the second half.

Ryan received his initial yellow card—upgraded to a 20-minute red card—for a high clear-out/no-arms tackle on Malcolm Marx.

Prendergast was sent to the sin-bin following repeated team infringements as Ireland's defensive discipline broke down under pressure.

Crowley was sin-binned after a TMO review ruled he caused a knock-on while off his feet near the ruck in the Irish half.

Porter was penalised and yellow-carded during dead time at the end of the first half following persistent team scrum infringements, which led to a South African penalty try.

McCarthy was own a yellow card in the second half for further disciplinary infractions.

The match's 132-minute stop/start duration also drew criticism as did Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu escaping sanction for a high tackle on Tommy O'Brien.

Elsewhere, and following his appointment to the Champions Cup Final last season, Karl Dickson (Eng) will referee as Munster host Racing 92 that Saturday.

France's Pierre Broussett is set to take charge as Connacht meet former champions Saracens at Dexcom Park, Galway, also on the Saturday.

The competition opens on the Friday as back-to-back champions Bordeaux travel to Gloucester's Kingsholm Stadium with Italy’s Gianluca Gnecchi in the middle.

Andrea Piardi (Italy) will take charge as Bath host Challenge Cup holders and TOP 14 finalists Montpellier Hérault at The Rec.

On the Sunday, Hollie Davidson (Scot) will referee as TOP 14 champs and six-time Champions Cup winners Toulouse play at the iconic Stadium de Toulouse against former champions Exeter Chiefs.

The weekend concludes at Franklin’s Gardens, where Gallagher PREM champs Northampton Saints welcome Cardiff. France’s Jérémy Rozier will referee.

The EPCR Challenge Cup also opens the same weekend with 2026 finalists Ulster away at Zebre Parma. Ben Connor (Wales) will be in the middle.

Referees from seven unions have been appointed for a blockbuster opening round from 16-18 October.

“I would like to thank all our match officials for their professionalism and commitment to delivering the very best matches across our competitions," said EPCR Chairman Dominic McKay.

“With the new season just around the corner, we are looking forward to seeing them take centre stage as the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup get underway.”

The Appointments selection committee is chaired by Tony Spreadbury, EPCR Head of Match Officials.

Spreadbury added: “We are delighted with the high standards of Officiating and the performances of our match officials last season. These appointments reflect their consistency, professionalism and commitment to excellence across EPCR competitions.

“We are looking forward to seeing the officials take charge of some outstanding fixtures in Round 1 and to maintaining those high standards throughout the pool stage.”