Gibbes confident appointment of referee Pearson won’t faze Leinster

LEINSTER’S Irish internationals won’t hold fond memories of Dave Pearson but players and staff dismissed the significance of his appointment for Saturday’s Heineken Cup semi-final against Toulouse at the Aviva Stadium.

The Englishman was an official when Ireland were penalised in the Six Nations, particularly at the breakdown, and Declan Kidney subsequently took issue with the decisions he made during the defeat to France. Nine Leinster players started that game, with two more featuring off the bench.

“There are only a certain amount of referees that can ref games, and we drew him,” said Leinster forwards coach Jono Gibbes.