Bilbao.

Wayne Barnes of England will referee his 70th tournament match when he takes charge of the 2018 Champions Cup final between Leinster Rugby and Racing 92 at the San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao on Saturday, 12 May.

The vastly-experienced Barnes will be in the middle for a European Cup final for the second time having refereed the 2010 decider.

France’s Jérome Garces has been appointed to referee the Challenge Cup final between the Cardiff Blues and Gloucester Rugby also at the San Mamés Stadium on Friday, 11 May, while Ben Whitehouse of Wales will take charge of the Continental Shield final which pits holders, Enisei-STM, against Heidelberger RK of Germany in Getxo on Saturday, 12 May.

The appointments were announced today (Tuesday, 1 May) by EPCR’s selection committee which is chaired by the tournament organiser’s Head of Match Officials, Joel Jutge.

Barnes’ assistant referees in Bilbao will be JP Doyle and Tom Foley also of the RFU, while the French duo of Romain Poite and Pascal Gauzère will run the line for Garcès who will be refereeing the Challenge Cup final for a third time.

Challenge Cup final – Cardiff Blues v Gloucester Rugby 
Friday, 11 May – San Mamés Stadium (21.00)
Referee: Jérome Garcès (Fra); Assistant referees: Romain Poite (Fra), Pascal Gauzère (Fra); TMO: Philippe Bonhoure (Fra); Citing Commissioner: Maurizio Vancini (Ita).

Continental Shield final – Enisei-STM v Heidelberger RK
Saturday, 12 May – Campo Rugby Fadura, Getxo (12.00)
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (Wal); Assistant referees: Ian Davies (Wal), Dan Jones (Wal); TMO: Neil Hennessy (Wal); Citing Commissioner: Dave Guyan (Eng).

Champions Cup final – Leinster Rugby v Racing 92
Saturday, 12 May – San Mamés Stadium (17.45)
Referee: Wayne Barnes (Eng); Assistant referees: JP Doyle (Eng), Tom Foley (Eng); TMO: Rowan Kitt (Eng); Citing Commissioner: John Montgomery (Sco).