Romain Poite has been appointed to take charge of Ireland's opening game in Cardiff against Wales. This might concern Irish fans, many of whom Pointe has irritated over the years. It is not so much the decisions that annoy people, although there are plenty, but rather how he communicates with players. Poite has an antagonistic relationship with Paul O'Connell, sinbinning the Munster captain against Perpignan for talking to Poite about a decision and sending him off against Ospreys for an alleged swinging arm.
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Poite's countryman Jerome Garces is in charge of Ireland's game against England while Wayne Barnes will officiate the games against Italy and Scotland. Steve Walsh will ref the French game.
