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IRB announces referees for Lions tour

BryceLawrence-PA
The International Rugby Board have named the referees for the British & Irish Lions’ Test series against South Africa this summer.

The International Rugby Board have named the referees for the British & Irish Lions’ Test series against South Africa this summer.

Bryce Lawrence of New Zealand will take charge of the first Test in Durban on June 20 while France’s Christophe Berdos will take over a week later in Pretoria.

Completing the series will be Stuart Dickinson of Australia for the third Test in Johannesburg on July 4.

The trio will form a neutral Test panel that will also include specialist assistant referee Vinny Munro from New Zealand.

IRB referee manager Paddy O’Brien said: “We met with the Lions and South Africa team management last month.

“All were in favour of the appointment of neutral match officials for the Test series.

“Bryce, Christophe and Stuart are all highly experienced members of the IRB’s high performance referee panel with nearly 80 internationals between them.”