Allen has been contracted with Scottish Rugby for four years, after having previous experience refereeing whilst he was studying at the University of Edinburgh. The Ulster born match official also works as a doctor alongside his rugby work.

With several years of experience behind him, Allen has officiated a variety of EPCR Continental Shield matches over the last couple of years, as well as recently refereeing the encounter between Georgia vs Germany in a Rugby Europe test match last month.

Speaking on the news of Allen’s move to officiate his first Pro14 match, Referee Development Manager, Andrew Macpherson has said: “Keith’s appointment to referee his first Guinness Pro14 match is a great achievement for him personally as well as for Scottish Refereeing.

“Keith has worked hard to develop his refereeing over the last few years alongside his work as a Doctor for the NHS.

“With Keith’s appointment, he will become the fifth Scottish official to referee in the Pro14 this season which shows that great strides are being made as a group.”