Munster’s lucky omen Owens takes charge of Saracens clash

FOR the third successive time, Nigel Owens will be the man in the middle for a Munster Heineken Cup match, when the Reds meet Saracens at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena on Sunday week, April 27.

The Welsh referee officiated in Munster’s recent quarter-final victory over Gloucester at Kingsholm, and was also in charge of their final pool game against Wasps, in Thomond Park on January 19.

For the record, he was match referee when Munster met Clermont Auvergne at Thomond Park in round two of the tournament.

His appointment will delight Munster’s coaching staff and players who are at a stage where they are comfortable and familiar with the ways and methods of the Welsh official.

Owens will be making his first last four appearance, and Munster supporters will be hoping that he’ll continue to act as a lucky charm as they seek a place in next month’s Heineken Cup final.

Sources also indicate that Owens is favourite to officiate in his first ever Heineken Cup final in the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff on May 24.

Ireland’s top whistler, Allain Rolland, will be in charge of his fourth tournament semi-final when London Irish meet Toulouse at Twickenham on Saturday week.

Rolland, who refereed the 2007 Rugby World Cup final in Paris, was also in quarter-final action when London Irish beat Perpignan at the Madejski Stadium, and was invited by the organisers of the EDF Anglo Welsh Cup to take charge of the final between Leicester Tigers and Ospreys at Twickenham last weekend.