White out of Ireland match

English referee Chris White has been forced to withdraw from Saturday’s opening RBS 6 Nations clash between Ireland and Italy.

White is suffering from a calf complaint and is unable to officiate at Croke Park, with his duties being passed on to South African Jonathan Kaplan.

White was also due to run touch for France v Ireland on February 9 and Ireland v Scotland two weeks later.

Wayne Barnes followed by Nigel Owens will take his place in those fixtures.

Other changes to the announced touch judges for the tournament see Peter Allan replacing the recently retired Malcolm Changleng for Wales against Italy on February 23, while David Changleng has been added to the Ireland versus Italy fixture this weekend.