Irish referee Lewis handed whistle for French game

IRISH referee Alan Lewis will take charge of the World Cup Pool B clash between France and Japan in Townsville after Australian official Scott Young injured a hamstring.

Young had been due to control the October 18 tie, but has conceded defeat in his fitness battle. Lewis will also replace Young as a touch judge when France tackle Fiji in Brisbane on Saturday, and in the Scotland versus Japan fixture at Townsville a day later. Young hopes to be fit for the Pool D encounter between Wales and Italy in Canberra on October 25.

A former player, Lewis turned to refereeing after sustaining a career-threatening injury. However, his sporting prowess is not just confined to the realms of international rugby. Lewis is the third most capped player in the history of Irish cricket, following in the footsteps of his father Ian, capped 20 times in the code.