Referees for Lions tour named

Chris Pollock, Craig Joubert and Romain Poite have been named as the three match officials for the upcoming British and Irish Lions tour.
Kiwi Pollock will take charge of the first Test on June 22 in Brisbane while South African Joubert will officiate in the second Test in Melbourne the following week.
Frenchman Poite will be in the middle for the third and final Test of the series in Sydney on July 6.
Unlike four years ago where Wayne Barnes, Nigel Owens and Alain Rolland were utilised, no referees from the Home Unions will be involved as former Saracens fly-half Glenn Jackson, Jaco Peyper and Jerome Garces will blow the whistle in the mid-week games.
The tour will start in Hong Kong on June 1 as the Lions take on the Barbarians and Steve Walsh will be the referee for this one.
His last performance for the last RBS Six Nations decider between Wales and England came under huge scrutiny especially after England forwards coach Graham Rowntree asked for clarification from the International Rugby Board after the game.
IRB match official selection committee chairman, IRB Council member and former Scotland and Lions flanker John Jeffery said: “The British and Irish Lions tour will be one of the highlights of 2013 as far as international rugby is concerned and looks set to be another hard-fought and compelling series.
“The IRB is committed to promoting the very best refereeing standards at the elite level of the Game. The continued priority is the promotion of consistency and performance and following a comprehensive selection process, the committee has appointed three highly experienced match referees for the Test series.”