Barnes gets nod for Leinster’s semi-final clash

Wayne Barnes, whose handling of Ireland’s Six Nations clash against Wales caused such controversy less than three months ago, has been handed control of another major fixture involving an Irish side.

The English ref will be in charge in Bordeaux later this month when Leinster take on Clermont Auvergne at Stade Chaban-Delmas while Romain Poite will officiate Ulster’s meeting with Edinburgh in Dublin.

Barnes’ decision to penalise and sinbin Stephen Ferris for his tackle on Ian Evans handed Leigh Halfpenny the opportunity to land the wining kick during the Six Nations.

The IRB backed their official’s decision but Barnes has since been relegated from the first tier of global referees and will spend the summer overseeing local derbies in the Pacific involving Fiji and Samoa.