Italian referee Andrea Piardi will take charge of the blockbuster URC title clash between the Vodacom Bulls and Irish giants Leinster in Dublin on Saturday.
Piardi will referee his third consecutive Grand Final at Croke Park, and takes on the responsibility a month before he makes history as the first Italian to oversee a British & Irish Lions game in the second Test against the Wallabies in Melbourne on 27 July.
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He has made nine appearances in the URC this season, bringing his total to 54 and while he may celebrate his third selection for a decider, he is still some way short of the record held by legendary Welshman Nigel Owens (six league finals).
The 32-year-old has been a familiar face in the URC playoffs since 2022, and his team of match officials will consist of assistant referees Mike Adamson and Sam Grove-White and TMO Matteo Liperini, for a combined experience of 198 URC games.
Due to a policy of neutrality for match official appointments for the final, no Irish or South African referees could be considered.
Photo: David Fitzgerald/Getty Images
