World Rugby have announced the two referees who will take charge of the two semi-finals this weekend. Home referee Wayne Barnes will be in control of Argentina and Australia, whilst French referee Jerome Garces, who refereed Ireland this weekend - will be in charge of New Zealand and South Africa.
There will be Irish representation in both games - with John Lacey joining and Romain Poite assisting Garces in the first semi-final, and George Clancy and Jaco Peyper assisting Barnes.
But it's the absence of two referees from the list that hint at who will be in control of the whistle for the final. Both Barnes and Garces were refereeing quarter-finals, and the other two referees last weekend - Craig Joubert and Nigel Owens are notably absent.
Given the controversy surrounding Joubert after his decision to award Australia a last minute penalty to win the game, it's highly unlikely that the South African will take control of another World Cup final. This would place Nigel Owens as the firm favourite, in a move that should delight most fans.
A decision confirming who the final, and bronze final referees are will be announced in the coming days.
See Also: World Rugby Heap Pressure On Referee Joubert After Scotland Controversy
Picture credit: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE
