Controversial Kaplan to ref Lions final clash

SOUTH AFRICAN official Jonathan Kaplan - who was in charge of Ireland’s contentious RBS 6 Nations victory over England two months ago - will referee the Lions this summer.

Kaplan has been appointed to the potentially- decisive third Test in Auckland on July 9.

The first and second Tests - in Christchurch and Wellington on June 25 and July 2 - will be refereed by Frenchman Joel Jutge and Australian Andrew Cole respectively.