Andrew Brace will take charge of the headline act in the opening round of the European Champions' Cup when Racing 92 welcome Champions Saracens to the Paris la Defense Arena.
The rugby referee appointments for the opening two rounds of the competition were announced this morning.
Brace has risen up the officiating ranks at an incredible rate having only made his rugby referee debut in the competition in 2016. Another former professional player who will be wielding the whistle in the opening rounds of the competition is ex-Munster Connacht and Leicester Tigers scrum-half, Frank Murphy.
Murphy will referee the clash between Northampton Saints and Lyon in round one then in round two will be in charge of the all-English affair between Harlequins and Bath.
Pierre Brousset of France will have the whistle for Leinsters' opening game in the competition. Leo Cullen's side welcome Benetton to the RDS on Saturday November 16th.
English ref Karl Dickson will oversee Munster's first outing in the Heineken European Champions' Cup against the Ospreys in Swansea.
Ulster's first game in Europe this year sees them go to The Rec to face Bath, where the experienced Italian Marius Mitrea will be the man in the middle.
Connacht's return to the premier European competition sees them travel to Montpellier. Andy Friend's side will have Englishman Matthew Carley brandishing the whistle for the game at the Sportsground on Sunday, November 17th.
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