Munster will be wary of Barnes

HEINEKEN CUP: IT IS injudicious for teams to comment on referees. But Munster will undoubtedly apply themselves more rigorously to the emphasis referee Wayne Barnes applies to the laws when awarding penalties.

The European champions have drawn England’s Barnes to referee their Heineken Cup quarter-final with Ospreys at Thomond Park on April 12th.

Munster have been refereed by Barnes in the pool stages against French clubs Clermont and Montauban and found to their cost a higher penalty count than they would have liked, especially around the breakdown.

Alain Rolland is not among the four referees selected. Regarded as one of the best in the world, the Irishman would have been ideal for Cardiff Blues against Toulouse, as he is fluent in French. But Ireland do have Alan Lewis involved as he officiates in Leicester’s home game against Bath at Welford Road in what will be his 59th match of this tournament.

Chris White will take charge of the Cardiff-Toulouse clash at the Millennium Stadium and 2008 European final referee Nigel Owens whistles when Harlequins take on Leinster at the Stoop.

Meanwhile, Italy are confident they will have teams competing in the Magners League next season. Under the proposals, the league will increase to 12 teams to include two regional Italian sides based in Milan and Rome. But the move may hinge on the Italians securing a big-money sponsor before a Magners League board meeting at the end of the month in Dublin.

David Jordan, the director of Celtic Rugby, said: “We have asked the Italians to present a proposal to us. The three unions (Ireland, Scotland and Wales) are willing to let the Italians join the league subject to a competitive commercial package.”

REFEREES FOR HEINEKEN CUP QUARTER-FINALS: April 11th: Cardiff Blues v Toulouse, Millennium Stadium, 3.30, Chris White(England); Leicester Tigers v Bath Rugby, Walkers Stadium, 6.0, Alan Lewis (Ireland); April 12th: Munster v Ospreys Thomond Park, 1.0, Wayne Barnes(England); 3.30; Harlequins v Leinster, The Stoop, 3.30, Nigel Owens(Wales).