THE LAST TIME Wayne Barnes took charge of a European semi-final involving Leinster, the Blues emerged from France with a four point victory over their hosts on their way to securing back-to-back Heineken Cups.

And Matt O’Connor will be hoping for a similar result this weekend after the English referee was appointed to take charge of their clash with Toulon at the at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille on Sunday.

Barnes will be assisted by Nigel Owens and Greg Garner, a move which many believe makes the Welsh official the favourite to referee the final.

Ireland’s George Clancy will be the man with the whistle when Clermont Auvergne host Saracens at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in Saint-Etienne in the other semi-final on Saturday while his countryman John Lacey has been appointed to referee the Challenge Cup semi-final between Gloucester and the Exeter Chiefs.

Friday’s semi-final between Edinburgh and Newport Gwent Dragons will be overseen by JP Doyle.

There’s a Fijian behemoth devastating Super Rugby who needs an army to take him to ground

Paul O’Connell definitely didn’t cop this fan trying to take a photo of him, no way