SIX NATIONS TOURNAMENT:THE REFEREES for the Six Nations were announced yesterday with the IRB selection committee rewarding those who they felt performed most competently during the World Cup.

Ireland’s Alain Rolland gets the tournament’s most attractive tie between France and England in Paris on March 11th. It may just be coincidence but Rolland will not officiate, in any capacity, at a Wales game this season.

Despite several former players, like Francois Pienaar, being critical of Rolland’s red carding of Welsh captain Sam Warburton for a spear tackle on Vincent Clerc in the World Cup semi-final, the IRB referees manager Paddy O’Brien immediately supported the decision. It became apparent that Rolland was acting in accordance with an edict handed down by O’Brien.

However, South African Craig Joubert was named as the final referee ahead of the former Irish international scrumhalf, who had already refereed the 2007 decider. Joubert was subsequently pilloried by French players for perceived unfair refereeing of the breakdown in their 8-7 defeat to New Zealand on October 23rd.

The appointments were made “following a detailed review of match official performances at Rugby World Cup 2011 and other major competitions”, read an IRB statement.

“We have made the appointments immediately after Rugby World Cup 2011 so match officials have the best possible preparation period ahead of the RBS Six Nations, after what has been a physically demanding year of test rugby,” said O’Brien.

“I was really impressed by the overall performance during Rugby World Cup 2011, but our focus will remain firmly on consistency, penalising the clear and the obvious and tackling the ‘big five’ areas.”

The big five are: refereeing offsides at the ruck, offside from kicks, illegal maul formation causing obstruction, slowing down of scrum engagement sequence and accuracy of application of the tackle law. “Collectively we will continue to work as a unit to drive standards and maintain a zero-tolerance attitude towards infringements around the breakdown and at the scrums,” O’Brien continued.

“In that regard, I would also like to thank the coaches for their buy-in to this process during Rugby World Cup.”

O’Brien also recently stated the powers of the Television Match Official will be expanded outside the stringent parameters of point scoring.

However, ERC chief executive Derek McGrath yesterday confirmed that no changes will occur in European club competitions during the 2011/12 season.

Rolland will also take charge of Italy and Scotland in Rome on March 17th, while George Clancy takes charge of the Calcutta Cup game between England and Scotland on February 4th and Wales against Italy on March 10th.

Ireland’s matches will be refereed by Wayne Barnes (v Wales), Dave Pearson (v France), Joubert (v Italy), Chris Pollock (v Scotland) in his first Six Nations fixture and finally Nigel Owens (v England).