Lacey to make refereeing cup debut

FORMER Munster wing John Lacey is to become the third man to both play in, and referee, a match in the Heineken Cup.

Lacey was last night named by tournament organisers as the man in charge for the Pool One opener between Northampton Saints and Castres Olympique at Franklin’s Gardens on October 8.

In his former life as a player, Lacey scored four tries in six Heineken Cup appearances for Munster during the 1997/98 campaign and the 36-year-old joins Leinster’s Alain Rolland and former Borders man Malcolm Changleng in both playing in and refereeing Heineken Cup games.

Rolland’s feat, along with fellow Irishman Alan Lewis and England’s Chris White, of officiating in more than 50 Heineken Cup matches will be matched the same weekend by Nigel Owens of Wales.

Owens is scheduled to reach his half century when he takes charge of the Pool 2 opener between French champions ASM Clermont Auvergne and Saracens at Stade Marcel Michelin on Saturday, October 9.

Lewis will officiate a record 67th match when he controls tournament newcomers Toulon’s home match with the Ospreys in Munster’s Pool 3 on the same day.