Lewis steps in

Irish referee Alan Lewis will take charge of the World Cup Pool B clash between France and Japan in Townsville after Australian official Scott Young suffered a hamstring injury.

Young had been due to control the October 18 encounter, but has conceded defeat in his fitness battle.

Lewis will also replace Young as a touch judge when France tackle Fiji in Brisbane next Saturday, and in the Scotland versus Japan fixture at Townsville a day later.

Young hopes to be fit for a potentially pivotal Pool D encounter between Wales and Italy in Canberra on October 25.