Rolland to give talk to GAA referees

Rugby World Cup final referee Alain Rolland will address the GAA's top referees next Tuesday on the key issues of fitness and discipline.

The 2007 World Cup may have been a washout on the field for Ireland, but it ended on a high note for Dubliner Rolland who was chosen to take charge of the South Africa v England final.

Officials from the GAA's National Referees Association are anxious to hear from Rolland ahead of the new inter-county season as they are particularly envious of the higher levels of player discipline that exist in rugby.

GAA Referees spokesman Fr. Seamus Gardiner explained: "We will be asking Alain how he prepares and deals with discipline because we are always very envious of discipline on the rugby field. The question I will be asking him is - how does this work at club level?

"We see that it works well at the top levels, which is pretty much along the same lines as ourselves."