Rolland barred from Welsh Heineken Cup and Six Nations games:

CONTROVERSIAL CALL: Alain Rolland red cards Warburton

            The former Ireland scrum-half became public enemy No 1 in Wales when he sent-off Welsh captain Rob Warburton for a dangerous tackle on Vincent Clerc after just 18 minutes of the semi-final defeat by France.  
             Rolland was criticised for being too hasty in dismissing Warburton, though the Cardiff Blues flanker later pleaded guilty to making a dangerous tackle and was suspended for three weeks. Rolland also followed International Rugby Board (IRB) guidelines as amended last December and whilst castigated in some parts, he was praised in many others.

WISE DECISION: International Rugby Board

             Rolland will not officiate in any of Wales’s matches in the forthcoming Six Nations, nor will he be involved as an assistant referee or television match official.  The IRB gave no explanation for Rolland’s absence from Wales’s matches, but it will be the first time since 2008 that he has not taken charge of one of their games.