Welsh referee Derek Bevan yesterday failed a fitness test on the ankle he injured last Saturday and has been forced to withdraw from taking charge of Saturday's Five Nations Championship match between France and England.

David McHugh of Ireland will now control the match at the new Stade de France, Paris, with a number of other changes made under the IRB merit-based system of referee appointments.

Clayton Thomas (Wales) switches from senior touch judge for the Ireland-Scotland match to the same post in Paris.

Brian Campsall will be on touch judge duty at Lansdowne Road with Tony Spreadbury (England) called up for a touch judge role at Stradey Park, where Wales meet Italy.