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investec-champions-cup
The former playing rival and teammate of leading Italian referee Andrea Piardi was given the honor of refereeing the first Investec Champions Cup tie in the 2026/27 season.
Gianluca Gnecchi, who made his Champions Cup debut in midfield two years ago, will blow the first whistle in this year’s competition after being appointed as the curtain raiser between Gloucester and reigning champions Bordeaux-Begles at Kingsholm on Friday, October 16.
Gnecchi regularly clashed with his countryman and colleague Breciano Piardi during their playing careers before refereeing became a priority, he explained in a recent interview on the World Rugby website, and now the two are rubbing shoulders at the top of the world.
“Brescia had two rugby teams and we played against each other for a long, long time until the clubs merged when we were 18 and we started becoming teammates. By then I had refereed for two years and I brought him into the group when he showed interest in refereeing. It was because of me that he started!” Gnecchi said.
“Because of his dedication and focus, he developed very quickly, and seeing him do well and get big meetings made me think, ‘why can’t I do the same?’ It was very inspiring for me.”
While Piardi has now refereed some of the biggest matches in the world, including the British and Irish Lions Test 2025 and later Australia vs South Africa Heading into the Perth clash, 34-year-old Gnecchi is also steadily moving up the refereeing ladder and has officiated 10 senior internationals to date.
Piardi, meanwhile, will be on hand to oversee things at The Rec for opening night on Saturday, as Bath host EPCR Challenge Cup holders and TOP 14 finalists Montpellier Hérault Rugby in another title clash.
Following his appointment in the Investec Champions Cup final last season, Karl Dickson will referee Munster’s home match against Race 92 in Thomond Park.
Dickson’s countryman Matthew Carley, who refereed the EPCR Challenge Cup final last season, will be in charge as the URC champions and last season’s Leinster Champions Cup runners-up begin their quest for a fifth title away to ASM Clermont Auvergne, while a third Englishman, Christophe Ridley, was assigned Bulls vs French Stadium Paris.
As for the rest of Saturday’s matches, Craig Evans will oversee Sale Sharks against Glagow Warriors, Scotsman Sam Grove-White got La Rochelle against the Lions and Frenchmen Kevin Bralley and Pierre Brousset will manage Stormers vs Bristol and Connacht vs Saracens connections, respectively.
On Sunday, October 18, Hollie Davidson will judge the TOP 14 champions and six-time Champions Cup winners Toulouse kick off their campaign at home to former champions Exeter Chiefs.
The opening weekend ends at DPD Stadium in Franklin’s Gardens, where Gallagher PREM champion Northampton Saints take on Cardiff, and Frenchman Jérémy Rozier has been appointed as the referee.
At the Challenge Cup, South African Hanru van Rooyen will make his EPCR debut as Dragons RFC welcome Perpignan Rodney Parade in the opening game of the third division.
Click HERE for the full list of Champions Cup 1st round officials
