Owens to ref Munster tie

Welsh official Nigel Owens will take control of Munster’s Heineken Cup quarter-final with Toulouse, with tournament organisers ERC appointing England’s Wayne Barnes as referee for Leinster’s trip to Toulon.

Owens, the man in the middle for last year’s semi-final between Clermont Auvergne and Munster, will blow the first whistle on this season’s quarter-final ties when four-time champions Toulouse visit Thomond Park for the opening game of three on Saturday, April 5.

Ireland’s Alain Rolland is next up, having been appointed to referee Clermont against Leicester at Stade Marcel-Michelin while Frenchman Jerome Garces takes charge of Ulster and Saracens at Ravenhill.

Barnes will officiate the following day when three-time Heineken winners Leinster visit Stade Felix Mayol, home of reigning champions Toulon while in the Amlin Challenge Cup quarters that Sunday, Irish referee John Lacey takes control of a Bath side that could include former Munster team-mate Peter Stringer against Brive at the Recreation Ground.