English referee Ben Thaler has been appointed as referee for the 2013 World Club Challenge between Super League champions Leeds Rhinos and NRL grand final winners Melbourne Storm at Headingley Carnegie Stadium on Friday February 22 (8.00pm).

Thaler, who refereed the second England v Exiles International Origin match in 2012, will take charge of his first World Club Challenge when the two most successful Rugby League clubs of the modern era meet on Friday.

He will be joined by touch-judges James Child and George Stokes. Phil Bentham will be video referee.

Paul Crashley has been appointed as Match Commissioner for the game while the reserve referee is Richard Silverwood. Robert Hicks is reserve touch-judge.

The 2013 World Club Challenge, Leeds Rhinos v Melbourne Storm, will be played out in front of a capacity audience at 8.00pm on Friday February 22 and will be shown live and exclusively on Sky Sports 1.