THE WORLD CUP may be over for Ireland’s defeated players but the dream lives on for one of us at least.
Alain Rolland will referee the opening World Cup semi-final between Wales and France in Auckland on Saturday.
The IRB released the details for next wekeend’s mouth-watering fixtures this morning.
Rolland will have England’s Wayne Barnes and South African Jonathan Kaplan as his assistants. The Irishman is no stranger to the big occasion, of course, having officiated the decider when South Africa beat England in Paris last time out.
On Sunday, when New Zealand and Australia face off, South African Craig Joubert will be assisted by Welshman Nigel Owens and Romain Poite of France.
One of the greatest GAA families of all time to be sure. Best of luck to Marc on his retirement.
In about 20 years time there could be an awful heap of them in the team if they each have a few sons