Owens to referee Cardiff decider

NIGEL OWENS will referee his first Heineken Cup final when he takes charge of the clash between Munster and Toulouse at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, on Saturday, May 24(5pm).

The leading Welsh official refereed his first semi-final when he was in the middle for Munster’s win over Saracens at the Ricoh Arena last month and the final will mean he has not missed a single tournament weekend, controlling a maximum nine Heineken Cup matches this season. The final will be 36-year-old Owens 32nd Heineken Cup match and his 39th European fixture overall, including last season’s European Challenge Cup final between ASM Clermont Auvergne and Bath Rugby at the Twickenham Stoop.

He will be the third Welsh referee to take charge of a Heineken Cup final, following in the footsteps of Derek Bevan (1997) and Clayton Thomas (1999), and the 11th referee to take charge of European club rugby’s showpiece match.