European warnings over ref protection

Clubs in the Heineken Cup have been warned to improve protection for match officials following the notorious attack on Irish referee David McHugh in South Africa.

Wales have instructed their clubs to provide referees with an escort and McHugh will be the first to benefit when he takes control of the opening Neath-Leicester game.

The European Cup chief executive Derek McGrath said: 'We are going to have some very dramatic matches and we need to ensure we do everything possible to make sure rugby remains a game of great family entertainment.'

The final, on May 24 next year, will return to Lansdowne Road in Dublin, four years after it hosted Ulster's famous victory over Colomiers during the season of the English clubs' boycott.