If you do not know who Wayne Barnes is by know, chances are you will by Sunday evening.
Leinster are going into a European Cup semi-final for the first time in three years and have a handy weapon that got them there – a strong scrum.
While all else seems to be crumbling around them, the Blues possess a pack that can trouble most teams in Europe and, in Ian Madigan, a goal-kicker that can punish sides that wilt under scrummaging pressure.
Unfortunate, then, that Leinster’s semi, against Toulon, on Sunday will be a referee that shows little or no interest in policing the scrum – Wayne Barnes.
Sean Cronin was one of the Irish players that lost out to Wales, in March, with Barnes on whistle-peeping duty. He was part of a front row that devastated the Welsh only for Barnes to award a penalty against his side.
Cronin insists, however, that Leinster are pleased to have the Englishman in the middle this weekend.
He said, ‘I know people were giving out, and saying Wayne Barnes was not a good fit for us, but I think he is.
‘A lot of the lads that were involved in the Ireland v Wales game had identified some of the stuff [plays, infringements] that he was hot on, and we ended up getting pinged for it. We had a long review, in terms of being in with Joe Schmidt and Ireland camp, and a lot of us have learned lessons from that.’
Cronin added, ‘We have experience with Barnes; we know what he is looking for and we have to deliver on that to keep him happy.’
POSITIVE PORTENT: Leinster won their last European Cup semi-final, against Clermont in 2012, when Barnes was referee.
NEGATIVE PORTENT: Barnes was the referee, last year, when Toulon beat Leinster 29-14.
