Heineken Cup referee change

Thursday 24th April 2008

Alan Lewis was in charge of the Heineken Cup quarter-final between Saracens  and Ospreys

Alan Lewis was in charge of the Heineken Cup quarter-final between Saracens and Ospreys

Alain Rolland has had to make a late withdrawal as referee for the Heineken Cup semi-final match between London Irish and Toulouse at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday, April 26 due to an injury.

Fellow Irish official Alan Lewis will now referee the match, which will be his third tournament semi-final and his 52nd Heineken Cup match overall.

Lewis, a former Irish international cricketer, also refereed at the 2003 and 2007 Rugby World Cups.

Rolland, who has both Irish and French lineage and speaks fluent French, seemed the appropriate choice for the match between the Exiles and Toulouse, but will now have to watch from the sidelines.

Gallery - Boks save some pride

Victory salute: Adi Jacobs celebrates his touchdown for South Africa Good sports: Mortlock and Matfield embrace after the match Dejected: Wallaby lock James Horwill reflects on his side's record loss