Referees Can Take A Bow

And Joel Jutge (France) and Alan Lewis (Ireland) are set to take their Heineken Cup refereeing appointments to the 30-match milestone before the end of the Pool stages.

England's Chris White joined Ireland's Dave McHugh at the top of the tournament's refereeing 'Roll of Honour' when he took charge of his 27th match in Round 1 when Toulouse triumphed over Llanelli Scarlets at Stradey Park.

White was later away on international duty and two others not only joined him and the now retired McHugh at the top, but overtook him in Round 4.

Having officiated in both of the opening two rounds of the 10th anniversary tournament, Jutge overtook Joel Dume (25 Heineken Cup appearances) as his country's leading official in the competition.

The 38-year-old Jutge, who controlled the 2002 Heineken Cup final between Leicester Tigers and Munster at the Millennium Stadium, and Lewis have now controlled 28 Heineken Cup matches and both will be in action in Rounds 5 and 6 in the New Year.

Jutge - who will end up with the remarkable achievement of having refereed in all six Rounds of this season's tournament - will referee Bath Rugby against Leinster in Round 5 and NEC Harlequins against Munster the following weekend.

Lewis will be at Welford Road for Leicester Tigers' clash with Biarritz Olympique and in Round 6 will be in charge when Newcastle Falcons and Newport Gwent Dragons meet at Kingston Park.
White will remain just one match behind the pair as he will control Munster against Neath-Swansea Ospreys in Round 5 and then Perpignan's visit to Edinburgh Rugby in Round 6.

LEADING HEINEKEN CUP REFEREES
Joel Jutge (France) 28
Alan Lewis (Ireland) 28
Dave McHugh (Ireland) 27
Chris White (England) 27

HEINEKEN CUP FINAL REFEREES
1996 and 2001 Dave McHugh (Ireland)
1997 Derek Bevan (Wales)
1998 Jim Fleming (Scotland)
1999 Clayton Thomas (Wales)
2000 Joel Dume (France)
2002 Joel Jutge (France)
2003 Chris White (England) replaced by Tony Spreadbury (England)
2004 Alain Rolland (Ireland)