Former Irish International Alain Rolland will referee his first Six Nations game when he takes charge of the Scotland v France game in Edinburgh. Alan Lewis will have charge of the France v Italy game and Dave McHugh will take charge of the Wales v France game in Cardiff.The IRB announced the referees appointments for the Six Nations 2002 Championship. Besides Rolland the new faces are Kelvin Deaker of New Zealand, Nigel Whitehouse of Wales, Joel Jutge of France, and Mark Lawrence of South Africa.

The appointments, with touch judges, assessors and country of origin of the television match officials are:

2 February, France vs Italy in Paris. Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland). Touch judges: Alain Rolland (Ireland), Steve Lander (England). Assessor: Louis Wessels (South Africa).

Scotland vs England in Edinburgh. Referee: Steve Walsh (New Zealand). Touch judges: Peter Marshall (Australia), Jokl Jutge (France). Assessor: Stephen Hilditch (Ireland).

3 February. Ireland vs Wales in Dublin. Referee: Pablo Deluca (Argentina).Touch judges: Kelvin Deaker (New Zealand), Rob Dickson (Scotland). Assessor: Stuart Beissell (New Zealand).

16 February. Wales vs France in Cardiff. Referee: Dave McHugh (Ireland).Touch judges: Pablo Deluca (Argentina), Rob Dickson (Scotland). Assessor: Stuart Beissell (New Zealand).

England vs Ireland in London. Referee: Peter Marshall (Australia). Touch judges: Steve Walsh (New Zealand), Jokl Dumi (France). Assessor: Robert Yemen (Wales).

Italy vs Scotland in Rome. Referee: Kelvin Deaker (New Zealand) . Touch judges: Chris White (England), Nigel Whitehouse (Wales). Assessor: Michel Lamoulie (France).

2 March. France vs England in Paris. Referee: Andri Watson (South Africa).Touch judges: Andrew Cole (Australia), Alain Rolland (Ireland). Assessor: Douglas Kerr (Scotland).

Wales vs Italy in Cardiff. Referee: Chris White (England) Touch judges: Rob Dickson (Scotland), Alan Lewis (Ireland) Assessor: Patrick Robin (France).

Ireland vs Scotland in Dublin. Referee: Nigel Whitehouse (Wales) Touch judges: Steve Lander (England), Jokl Jutge (France) Assessor: Ian Scotney (Australia).

23 March. Ireland vs Italy in Dublin. Referee: Rob Dickson (Scotland) Touch judges: Jokl Dumi (France), Nigel Whitehouse (Wales) Assessor: Colin High (England).

England vs Wales in London Referee: Andrew Cole (Australia). Touch judges: Dave McHugh (Ireland), Jokl Jutge (France). Assessor: Stephen Hilditch (Ireland).

Scotland vs France in Edinburgh. Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland).Touch judges: Paddy O'Brien (New Zealand), Steve Lander (England). Assessor: Ian Scotney (Australia).

6 April. France vs Ireland in Paris. Referee: Paddy O'Brien (New Zealand). Touch judges: Chris White (England), Nigel Whitehouse (Wales). Assessor: Douglas Kerr (Scotland). Wales vs Scotland in Cardiff. Referee: Joel Jutge (France) Touch judges: Alan Lewis (Ireland), Alain Rolland (Ireland) Assessor: Frans Muller (South Africa).

7 April Italy vs England in Rome. Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa). Touch judges: Jokl Dumi (France), Dave McHugh (Ireland). Assessor: Robert Yemen (Wales).