Six Nations role a major honour in my life

An accidental career path brings John Lacey to the Millennium Stadium today.

Lacey blows the opening whistle of the 2014 Six Nations Championship when he takes charge of Wales and Italy at 2.30pm but the Tipperary man’s journey to centre stage in Cardiff had an unexpected beginning.

Lacey, Munster Rugby’s Coaching Development Officer, was a spectator at a Schools Junior Cup game between CBC Cork and St Munchin’s in the old Thomond Park when the appointed referee didn’t show.