Lacey, who won six Heineken Cup caps in the 1997/98 season - scoring four tries - gains his first Heineken Cup referee cap on foot of an impressive career to date most recently and notably his sensible handling of the U20 World Cup semi final game between New Zealand and South Africa in Rosario in June.

Christophe Berdos takes charge of Munster clash with London Irish the following day in Reading while Wayne Barnes will be the man in the middle when Toulon visit Thomond Park Stadium in Round 2.