The former Shannon and Munster winger, who scored four tries in six Heineken Cup appearances in the 1997/98 tournament, joins Alain Rolland (Leinster) and Malcolm Changleng (Borders) in both playing in and refereeing Heineken Cup matches.

David Keane, who refereed his 100th international Sevens game earlier this year, has been at the Women's Rugby World Cup in Guildford and London for the last few weeks.

He was appointed as assistant referee for the final which saw New Zealand squeeze past hosts England on Sunday. Ireland finished seventh at the tournament, improving their world ranking by one place.

Meanwhile, Dudley Philips will be the first Irish referee in action in this season's Amlin Challenge Cup when he takes charge of the game between Stade Francais and newcomers Crociati Rugby on Thursday, October 7.

Click here for the list of appointments for the opening rounds of the Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup.

These appointments come on the back of a stint Down Under for Alain Rolland, George Clancy and Alan Lewis in the Tri Nations.

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