KIWI REFEREE STEVE Walsh has cited ‘business commitments’ as the reason for his decision not to hold the whistle for Ireland’s crucial Six Nations meeting with Wales in Cardiff next weekend.
The Australian-based official will be replaced by Wayne Barnes for the match on March 14.
The English referee had been marked to be an assistant when Italy host France, but will instead be joined by Jerome Garces in late changes to the officiating crew in the Millennium Stadium.
It’s not immediately clear what kind of business has dragged Walsh away from the biggest fixture in European rugby next weekend, but as Chris Kirwan points out on Twitter, New Zealanders love a bit of business time.
