Courtney called up as Six Nations ref

Referee Donal Courtney has been called up for the panel for the 2004 Bank of Scotland Six Nations championship.

The 39 year-old Dublin-based company financial director, who was on the panel of touch judges in the recent Rugby World Cup in Australia, has been nominated to take charge of the Wales - Scotland game in Cardiff on February 14.

Courtney will join Alan Lewis and Alain Rolland on a list of three Irish referees that will take charge of Six Nations games this season with Rolland whistleblower in a possible Grand Slam decider between France and England in Paris.