Rolland misses out on Heineken Cup final

Fluent French speaker Alain Rolland has lost out on the Heineken Cup final to Englishman Wayne Barnes.

Barnes will referee his first final when he takes charge of the all-French match between Biarritz Olympique and Toulouse in the landmark 15th tournament final at Stade de France on Saturday, May 22.

Rolland has been given the consolation of the Challenge Cup final, backed up by fellow Irishmen Alan Lewis and George Clancy as his assistant referees.

He will control the Amlin Challenge Cup final between Cardiff Blues and Toulon at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille on Sunday, May 23.

THE 15th HEINEKEN CUP FINAL

Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)

Assistant referees: Dave Pearson, Chris White (England)

AMLIN CHALLENGE CUP FINAL

Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)

Assistant referees: Alan Lewis, George Clancy (Ireland)