Lions referees announced

The IRB have named the referees for the British & Irish Lions' Tests against South Africa.

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

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.

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

“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.”