WALES’ crunch Six Nations encounter with Ireland will now be refereed by English official Wayne Barnes.

Barnes, a former Monmouth School pupil, has taken over from Steve Walsh because the New Zealander, who now represents the Australian Rugby Union, has business commitments.

Another change sees France’s Jerome Garces acting as Barnes’ assistant instead of New Zealander Chris Pollock.

Walsh was the man in the middle when Wales thrashed England to win the title two years ago while Barnes is used to being in charge of encounters between Warren Gatland’s men and the Irish.

He was the whistler when Ireland won 26-3 in Dublin last season, when Leigh Halfpenny’s late penalty took the spoils 23-21 at the Aviva Stadium in 2012, when the Irish secured their first Grand Slam in 61 years by sneaking a 17-15 success in Cardiff in 2009 and for Wales' 16-12 win at Croke Park in 2008.