Showdown.

Wayne Barnes will be the man in the middle when number two ranked Ireland take on number one ranked New Zealand in a highly anticipated Test match at the Aviva next month.

Barnes last took charge of an Ireland game when they took on Scotland in the Six Nations this year – a game they won comfortably. But they have had issues with the English referee in the past.

In 2017 Ireland forwards coach Simon Easterby urged referee Wayne Barnes to focus on the legality of Wales’ tactics at the breakdown ahead of their Six Nations clash at the Principality.

The English referee was highly criticised for his interpretation of the rolling away law at the breakdown when the two sides met in the Six Nations in Cardiff back in 2015. Barnes twice penalised Ireland on the Welsh line, when a maul collapsed en-route to the line and later when a scrum collapsed.

Ireland will be hoping there are any issues this time round when they face Steve Hansen’s men in a game that could potentially decide who the number one ranked team in the world are come next month.

The last time the All Blacks came to Dublin referee Jaco Peyper took centre stage, failing to punish Sam Cane for a challenge on Robbie Henshaw, as well as not handing Malakai Fekitoa what should have been a certain red card for a high tackle on Simon Zebo.

Elsewhere next month Jerome Garces will referee England vs New Zealand, Romain Poite takes charge of Scotland vs South Africa and Luke Pearce will be in control of Wales vs South Africa.