Lewis To Referee His Seventh Quarter-Final

Alan Lewis, one of Irish and world rugby’s most experienced referees, will referee a record seventh Heineken Cup quarter-final when he takes charge of the match between Saracens and the Ospreys at Vicarage Road on Sunday, April 6.

The Dublin-based Lewis is the only referee to have controlled 50 Heineken Cup matches to date, including nine in the knock-out stages.

While it will be Heineken Cup match number 51 for Lewis, English referee Wayne Barnes will be in charge of his first tournament quarter-final when he goes to Le Stadium to control the tie between Toulouse and Cardiff Blues in the second of the Sunday matches.

On Saturday, April 5, Alain Rolland, Ireland’s second referee for the knock-out stages, will referee his fourth Heineken Cup quarter-final when London Irish meet Perpignan at the Madejski Stadium.

Meanwhile, Welsh referee Nigel Owens will be in charge of the Gloucester Rugby and Munster showdown at Kingsholm, which is already an

Congratulations to Alan and Alain on their appointments which continues Ireland’s fine record of refereeing in European club rugby’s premier tournament.

Meanwhile, congratulations are also due to Bruff clubman George Clancy as he has been chosen to referee one of the four upcoming European Challenge Cup quarter-finals – he will be the man in the middle for the game between Worcester Warriors and Montpellier at the Sixways Stadium on Saturday, April 5.

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2007/08 HEINEKEN CUP QUARTER-FINALS:

Saturday, April 5 –

London Irish v Perpignan, Madejski Stadium, 3pm; Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)

Gloucester Rugby v Munster, Kingsholm, 5.30pm; Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)

Sunday, April 6 –

Saracens v Ospreys, Vicarage Road, 12.30pm; Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland)

Toulouse v Cardiff Blues, Le Stadium, 4pm local time; Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)

2007/08 EUROPEAN CHALLENGE CUP QUARTER-FINALS:

Friday, April 4 –

Sale Sharks v Brive, Edgeley Park, 7.30pm; Referee: Tim Hayes (Wales)

Saturday, April 5 –

Bath Rugby v Leeds Carnegie, Recreation Ground, 2.15pm; Referee: Romain Poite (France)

Worcester Warriors v Montpellier, Sixways Stadium, 3pm; Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)

Newcastle Falcons v Castres Olympique, Kingston Park Stadium, 8pm; Referee: Peter Allan (Scotland)