WAYNE BARNES WILL head up an RFU team of officials for this month’s Champions Cup final between Leinster and Racing 92 in Bilbao.

The experienced English referee will take charge of his 70th European Cup match on 12 May and will be assisted by Tom Foley and Dublin-born JP Doyle.

For Racing, the appointment represents three straight European matches with Barnes on the officiating crew after the 39-year-old was in charge for the quarter-final win away to Clermont and was an assistant to Doyle for Munster’s semi-final.

Leinster’s Champions Cup campaign will be book-ended by Barnes, as he was the man on the whistle for their opening pool fixture against Montpellier in October.

Officiating appointments for Bilbao finals weekend

Champions Cup final – Leinster Rugby v Racing 92, Saturday, 12 May – San Mamés Stadium.

Referee: Wayne Barnes (Eng)

Assistant referees: JP Doyle (Eng), Tom Foley (Eng); TMO: Rowan Kitt (Eng); Citing Commissioner: John Montgomery (Sco).

Lancaster, Barnes, Cullen and Doyle chat before the January clash with Montpellier last season. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Challenge Cup final – Cardiff Blues v Gloucester Rugby, Friday, 11 May – San Mamés Stadium.

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.

Referee: Ben Whitehouse (Wal)

Assistant referees: Ian Davies (Wal), Dan Jones (Wal); TMO: Neil Hennessy (Wal); Citing Commissioner: Dave Guyan (Eng).

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