The 39-year-old former junior school teacher from Cheltenham, who was in charge of the semi-final between Toulouse and Munster, is the first English official to referee a Heineken Cup final. White had to retire as a player at 25 with a shoulder injury and is now among the game's leading and most respected officials. He has been a full time referee since 1999 and a member of the IRB's elite panel.

White, who has been in charge of 18 full internationals, said: "I am absolutely delighted with the appointment - which is both an honour and responsibility. I have refereed a Heineken Cup semi-final for the past three years and to get the final is marvellous."

While he is the first English referee to take charge of a Heineken Cup final, he has controlled a previous European final, the European Shield clash between Pau and Castres Olympique in 2000.