Owens, Clancy for Magners semis
Nigel Owens and George Clancy – who are both in the panel of 10 officials named as referees for the World Cup in New Zealand later in the year – have been appointed to referee the Magners League semifinals this weekend.
Owens will be in charge when top seeds Munster meet No.4 seeds and defending champions, the Ospreys, at Thomond Park on Saturday evening.
Clancy will be in action on the Friday night when second seeds Leinster clash with Ulster in the all-Irish play-off match at the RDS.
Owens and Clancy were also in charge of last season’s semifinals – Owens refereeing Leinster vs Munster at the RDS and Clancy taking charge of the Ospreys’ home win over Glasgow Warriors.
The 34-year-old Clancy from Limerick, who has refereed 13 internationals, will also be in the spotlight next weekend when he referees the Amlin Challenge Cup final between Harlequins and Stade Français at Cardiff City Stadium.
Owens, the 37-year-old from Mynyddcerrig, has been in charge of 27 Tests as well as back-to-back Heineken Cup finals in 2008 and 2009.
The Irish venue for the Magners League Grand Final on Saturday, 28 May, will be announced after Saturday’s semifinal play-off.
