Craig Maxwell-Keys to referee Premiership final

Craig Maxwell-Keys will take charge of his first Premiership final after Wayne Barnes was forced to withdraw having tested positive for coronavirus.

Maxwell-Keys will oversee Exeter’s clash with Wasps at Twickenham on Saturday, a fortnight after running the line for the Chiefs’ semi-final victory over Bath.

Barnes announced on social media that his hopes of refereeing a 10th Premiership final had been dashed by Covid-19.

“Sadly I’ll be out of action this weekend as my weekly routine coronavirus test came back positive so I’m now isolating,” he said.

“Gutted to miss the @premrugby final but wish @ExeterChiefs, @WaspsRugby & all match officials involved the best of luck for a great day.”

Greek-born Danae Zamboulis makes history as the first woman to fill the role of citing officer in a Premiership final.