Leinster’s record with Wayne Barnes in charge since 2009

The referee has played a significant role in some of the province’s big European games

Wayne Barnes will be the man in the middle for Leinster’s European Champions Cup semi-final against Toulon on Sunday. Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho
Wayne Barnes will be the man in the middle for Leinster’s European Champions Cup semi-final against Toulon on Sunday. Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho

Played 6, won 3, drawn 0, lost 3.

Leinster results when Wayne Barnes has refereed their matches since they won their first Heineken Cup in 2009.

2009-2010

Heineken Cup round four

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Leinster 39 Scarlets 7, RDS – The English official didn't have much of an impact on this game as Leinster easily disposed of the Welsh side for the second time in a week having picked up a four-try bonus point win in Wales the previous weekend. The Scarlets travelled with a weakened side and the home side gave them a double dose of misery as they enjoyed another try-fest.

2010-2011

Heineken Cup round three

Clermont 20 Leinster 13, Stade Marcel Michelin – Leinster played very well, particularly the now retired, Eoin O'Malley. Barnes was to have a seminal influence on the outcome as he penalised Leinster flanker Shane Jennings for a double movement in the 63rd minute in grounding the ball over the line. Vern Cotter said afterwards his players were unhappy with the way Leinster were allowed to slow down ball.

2011-2012

Heineken Cup semi-final

Clermont 15 Leinster 19, Stade Chaban-Delmas – The nerve-shredding endgame from a Leinster perspective made this a gruelling spectacle. Most will recall Barnes referring Wesley Fofana's "try" to the television match official, Geoff Warren who confirmed the French centre had knocked on in the act of grounding the ball but the TMO had been called upon nine minutes earlier when Barnes asked him to adjudicate whether a Johnny Sexton penalty had gone between the uprights. He ruled it hadn't.

2012-2013

Heineken Cup round three

Leinster 21 Clermont 28, Aviva Stadium – Barnes was very strict at the breakdown and as is the case with most referees the side with momentum in attack tend to get the majority of decisions. The French club won the collisions and forced their hosts into not releasing or killing the ball. Leinster conceded eight kickable penalties, seven of which Morgan Parra landed. Seán O'Brien received a yellow card for an early tackle on Sitiveni Sivivatu.

Barnes was the referee when Leinster beat Biarritz 44-16 in the European Challenge Cup semi-final at the RDS.

2013-2014

Heineken Cup round one

Ospreys 9 Leinster 19, Liberty Stadium – If Leinster want to "paint nice pictures", as the rugby vernacular goes these days, for Barnes this would be the perfect case study. The Irish province excelled at the breakdown, defended with common sense and discipline and despite having far less possession strangled the life out of their opponents. The visitors largely listened to the English official's direction and were rewarded for their attitude.

Heineken Cup quarter-final

Toulon 29 Leinster 14, Stade Félix Mayol – Quite apart from a missed tackle count that was in the high 20s, Leinster can learn a couple of lessons from this. On a positive note they dominated the scrum and Barnes rewarded them with penalties but the flip side was the number of occasions Leinster transgressed at the breakdown; principally for not releasing. Barnes was consistent in his interpretation of this area.

John O'Sullivan

John O'Sullivan

John O'Sullivan is an Irish Times sports writer