LEINSTER’S IRISH CONTINGENT will get reacquainted with ref Romain Poite when they do battle with Northampton in Cardiff on Saturday week.

Ireland conceded 14 penalties during their hard-fought victory against Italy earlier this year with the forwards apparently baffled by the Frenchman’s interpretation of the scrum.

It wasn’t the first time Poite caused controversy in that regard with All Blacks coach Steve Hansen questioning the ref on the same issue after his side’s 26-16 victory against England last November.

The 32-year old Frenchman also attracted some unwanted attention to himself when he pulled a muscle in his calf and had to be replaced during England’s Six Nations victory over Scotland in March.

Poite has been something of a bad omen for Irish sides this year and was in charge when both Munster and Ulster crashed out of European competition but did take charge of Leinster’s pool win against Saracens in January.

Meanwhile, Irishman George Clancy will be the man in the middle for the Challenge Cup final where Harlequins face Stade Francais.