Alain Rolland's burgeoning reputation as one of the top referees in the country was enhanced yesterday when he was chosen to referee this season's Heineken European Cup final between the holders, Stade Toulousain, and London Wasps at Twickenham on Sunday, May 23rd.
The 38-year-old former Ireland international scrumhalf - who made five appearances for Leinster in the 1996/1997 competition - achieves this unique "double" in what will be only his 12th European Cup match.
Rolland was also appointed to referee the Six Nations finale between France and England at Stade de France, and he will also referee the Tri-Nations opener between New Zealand and Australia in Wellington this summer.
Rolland, a fluent French speaker, first took charge of a European Cup match when he controlled Saracens' 32-22 victory in Toulouse in the 2000/2001 season but this will be his first knockout-stage match.
Welshman Nigel Whitehouse will be in charge of the Parker Pen Challenge Cup final when Montferrand clash with NEC Harlequins at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday, May 22nd (noon). Dave Pearson (England) will referee the Parker Pen Shield final between Montpellier and Viadana at Stadio Lanfranchi, Parma, on Friday, 21st May.
Simon Easterby, Gordon D'Arcy and Paul O'Connell have been shortlisted to land the IRUPA Players' Player of the Year award when the association's annual banquet is held in the Burlington Hotel on May 19th.
Votes are also mounting for the newly introduced IRUPA People's Player of the Year award. Votes are registered by texting "vote" followed by the players name to 51101.
Meanwhile, the 48 senior clubs in the AIB League have made public their "overwhelming" opposition to the IRFU's proposed league format. The clubs have formed a new association, the Irish Senior Rugby Clubs' Association, and have "urgently requested a meeting with the union to outline a new, progressive All-Ireland League competition from 2005-6 onwards, and an All-Ireland Cup to commence in the 2004-5 season".
IRUPA NOMINATIONS: Players' Player of the Year - Gordon D'Arcy (Leinster), Simon Easterby (Llanelli), Paul O'Connell (Munster); Unsung Hero Award - Simon Easterby (Llanelli), Mark McHugh (Connacht), Mike Mullins (Munster); Hall of Fame - Paddy Johns (Ulster, Saracens & Ireland), Keith Wood (Munster, Harlequins, Ireland & Lions); Try of the Year - Girvan Dempsey (Ireland v England), Marcus Horan (Munster v Stade Francais), Scott Young (Ulster v Munster); Young Player of the Year - Tommy Bowe (Ulster), Brendan Burke (Leinster), Conor McPhilips (Connacht).
