Steve Walsh has been confirmed as the referee for the Super Rugby match between the Crusaders and the Sharks at Twickenham on Sunday.

As a result of the change in the match venue from Christchurch to London, Walsh, who refereed last weekend’s Six Nations clash between Scotland and Italy in Edinburgh, will replace Garratt Williamson.

“With Steve already in the United Kingdom it made sense to revise the match appointments rather than fly Garratt over for one match,” said SANZAR Game Manager, Lyndon Bray.

Bray said SANZAR had requested the RFU to assist with the appointment of a support team for Walsh with Wayne Barnes and Stuart Terheege appointed as Assistant Referees and Dave Pearson handling the TMO duties.

“The RFU were extremely accommodating at short notice,” said Bray.

“Appropriate SANZAR match protocols will be in place and all aspects relating to the match officials will be managed according to what the teams are accustomed to in Super Rugby,” Bray said.

The fixture, which will support the Christchurch earthquake relief efforts, kicks off at 16h00 (GMT) on Sunday.

Match Officials Round Six

Match : Rebels vs Hurricanes
Date: Fri 25 March
Venue : Melbourne
Kick Off local: 19:40
Kick Off GMT: 08:40
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant Ref 1:Nathan Pearce
Assistant Ref 2:Lourens vd Merwe
TMO: George Ayoub

Match : Reds vs Cheetahs
Date: Sat 26 March
Venue : Brisbane
Kick Off local: 14.40
Kick Off GMT: 04:40
Referee: Keith Brown
Assistant Ref 1:Glen Jackson
Assistant Ref 2:Stephen Hill
TMO:Steve Lesczcynski

Match : Chiefs vs Blues
Date: Sat 26 March
Venue : Hamilton
Kick Off local: 1935
Kick Off GMT: 06:35
Referee: Ian Smith
Assistant Ref 1:JonathonWhite
Assistant Ref 2:Ben Skeen
TMO:Garratt Williamson

Match : Brumbies vs Waratahs
Date: Sat 26 March
Venue : Canberra
Kick Off local: 19:40
Kick Off GMT: 08:40
Referee: Marius Jonker
Assistant Ref 1:Stuart Dickinson
Assistant Ref 2:Joey Salmans
TMO:Matt Goddard

Match : Stormers vs Force
Date: Sat 26 March
Venue : Cape Town
Kick Off local: 15:00
Kick Off GMT: 13:00
Referee: Pro Legoete
Assistant Ref 1:MarkLawrence
Assistant Ref 2:Christie DuPreez
TMO:Gerrie Coetzee

Match : Bulls vs Lions
Date: Sat 26 March
Venue : Pretoria
Kick Off local: 17:05
Kick Off GMT: 15:05
Referee: Chris Pollock
Assistant Ref 1:Vinny Munro
Assistant Ref 2:Fumanekile Yamile
TMO:Johann Meuwesen

Match : Crusaders vs Sharks
Date: Sun 27 March
Venue : Twickenham
Kick Off local: 16:00
Kick Off GMT: 16:00
Referee: Steve Walsh
Assistant Ref 1 Wayne Barnes
Assistant Ref 2:Stuart Terheege
TMO:Dave Pearson