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       #Post#: 77968--------------------------------------------------
       Champions & Challenge Cup Quarter Final Appointments
       By: Rhys147 Date: April 8, 2024, 1:04 pm
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       Saturday 13th April
       Bordeaux vs Harlequins
       Referee: Andrea Piardi
       Assistant Referees: Federico Vedovelli & Gianlucca Gnecchi
       TMO: Stefano Penne
       Leinster vs La Rochelle
       Referee: Karl Dickson
       Assistant Referees: Luke Pearce & Andrew Jackson
       TMO: Tom Foley
       Northampton vs Bulls
       Referee: Mathieu Raynal
       Assistant Referees: Ludovic Cayre & Luc Ramos
       TMO: Thomas Charabas
       Sunday 14th April
       Toulouse vs Exeter
       Referee: Chris Busby
       Assistant Referees: Eoghan Cross & Andrew Brace
       TMO: Mark Patton
       #Post#: 77969--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Champions & Challenge Cup Quarter Final Appointments
       By: Rhys147 Date: April 8, 2024, 1:07 pm
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       Friday 12th April
       Gloucester vs Ospreys
       Referee: Pierre Brousset
       Assistant Referees: Tual Trainini & Jeremy Rozier
       TMO: Denis Grenouillet
       Saturday 13th April
       Clermont vs Ulster
       Referee: Christophe Ridley
       Assistant Referees: Joe James & Hamish Smales
       TMO: Dean Richards
       Sharks vs Edinburgh
       Referee: Matthew Carley
       Assistant Referees: Anthony Woodthorpe & Adam Leal
       TMO: Ian Tempest
       Sunday 14th April
       Benetton vs Connacht
       Referee: Mike Adamson
       Assistant Referees: Ruaridh Campbell & Sam Grove-White
       TMO: Hollie Davidson
       #Post#: 77974--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Champions & Challenge Cup Quarter Final Appointments
       By: RCG Date: April 8, 2024, 2:02 pm
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       A few surprises in my opinion. Must assume Nika is injured,
       doing national service or on holiday as I cannot imagine he
       would miss out completely
       Raynal, as expected, given the only non-French QF, Dickson given
       the only non-English QF (huge, huge test for him)
       Piardi is having a good season on the back of URC honours last
       year.
       The surprise is Busby -a decent ref and as an Exeter fan we are
       pleased to see him. Is he really better than Brace or even
       Murphy?
       Adamson rewarded for a decent performance alongside Carley and
       Ridley. Brousset wins the battle of the French trio to get a
       middle.
       I don't quite understand who Pearce has upset- not only no
       middle but sent to Dublin to support Dickson. Maybe being saved
       for SF or F? I hope so
       Similarly with Brace, maybe not his best season to date, but is
       still a great referee.
       #Post#: 78059--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Champions & Challenge Cup Quarter Final Appointments
       By: Alfie75 Date: April 10, 2024, 3:10 am
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       I think it's really clear that Tony Spreadbury is looking at the
       next generation of referees - and to a degree I agree that the
       youngsters need to gain big match experience. However, I don't
       agree with all the appointments and to a certain extent there is
       a disconnect as to whom WR rate as opposed to their European
       counterpart.
       Brousett - needs this to gain big game exposure as he is
       technically from August France's number 1.
       Ridley - Clearly highly thought of by both ECPR & WR - no issues
       trying to give him exposure too.
       Adamson - This is where the disconnect is. Perhaps this European
       level is where Adamson will remain as for me WR have lost
       interest in him. Surprised they are not getting Davidson and/or
       Grove White.
       Piardi - Continues to gain experience on the bigger stage, no
       issues there.
       Busby - Like the idea of ECPR pushing Busby as he will need to
       gain further exposure moving forward. Murphy is not WR's number
       2 Irish official either.
       It's clear that either Nika is injured or unavailable for me,
       otherwise absolutely no reason why he shouldn't be involved.
       I'd be shocked if we don't see Pearce & Brace held for the
       semi's.
       #Post#: 78266--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Champions & Challenge Cup Quarter Final Appointments
       By: RCG Date: April 14, 2024, 10:59 am
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       Champions Cup Quarter Finals
       Referee of the weekend - Andrea Piardi
       I thought he was excellent in the very entertaining Bordeaux vs
       Quins game. Gave many decisions on first  viewing, used the team
       around to fill in the gaps. Penalised when it affected the game,
       communicated well, contributed fully to a brilliant game. Fully
       deserving of a SF.
       Chris Busby - has stood up well in the early stages in the bear
       pit of Toulouse. Some very difficult decisions made correctly
       under huge pressure.
       Also has used his team very effectively. As the game has headed
       Toulouse's way he has been able to let the game develop,
       maintaining full control - well done!
       Mathieu Raynal - performed well, did what was expected of him.
       The game became a non event quite early on but Raynal remained
       focused throughout - I expect to see him in Dublin for the SF
       Karl Dickson - this was never quite the game we thought it would
       be, Leinster were clinical, La Rochelle wasteful. Dickson, as
       with Raynal, did what was expected without being exceptional. No
       real issues and brought the game to a successful conclusion.
       With English teams in both Semi Finals there will be
       opportunities.
       My predictions:
       Toulouse vs Harlequins - Piradi (ita)
       Leinster vs Northampton - Raynal (Fra)
       Challenge Cup:
       Sharks vs Clermont-Ferrand @ The Stoop - Pearce or Dickson (Eng)
       Gloucester vs Benneton - Brace or Busby (Ire)
       #Post#: 78293--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Champions & Challenge Cup Quarter Final Appointments
       By: Alfie75 Date: April 15, 2024, 3:20 am
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       Can't disagree too much as I thought Piardi performed really
       well & Raynal did exactly what he needed to do.
       Have to say, I thought Dickson was ok in the main but at times I
       thought there were some strange decisions - ultimately, I don't
       think it affected the result overall, so he will be pleased with
       the performance.
       My goodness Busby had a hell of a first 30 minutes under all
       that pressure and I thought he handled it well - a bit like with
       Karl, I'm not convinced all decisions were correct.
       Can't argue with the SF officials, I have a slightly different
       take - it also depends on Nika Amashukeli and his
       fitness/availability.
       I'd go with:
       Toulouse vs Harlequins - Brace (Ire)
       Leinster vs Northampton - Raynal (Fra)
       Challenge Cup:
       Sharks vs Clermont-Ferrand @ The Stoop - Pearce or Dickson (Eng)
       Gloucester vs Benneton - Busby (Ire) or Brousett (Fra)
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