Ireland demolish Italy in 'farcical scenes'
Ireland vs Italy on Sunday afternoon was never expected to be a close encounter, but nobody expected it to become such a one sided affair as Italy were reduced to 10 men at the Aviva Stadium, losing 57-6.
A first-half red for replacement hooker Hame Faiva after a dangerous tackle meant that scrums had to be uncontested, with World Rugby laws stating that in this eventuality a back must be replaced by a front rower with another player also coming off, reducing Italy to 13.
This meant that Italy had to play for the majority of the game with 13 men before Braam Stey was sent to the sin-bin in the closing stages meaning that the Italians would see out the match with 12 men.
The scenes were described as 'farcical' with the confusing World Rugby law causing anger among fans and confusion among players, with Ireland head coach Andy Farrell describing the Italians as 'extremely brave'
The former England player said to BBC Five Live: "We got the points we needed at the end but a game becomes frustrating when you come down to 12 men.
"I thought Italy were unbelievably brave. Getting off the line. Really tough and hard at the breakdown. It gave us lots to ponder on - It's not nice to see for the game."
Italy captain Michele Lamaro was seen to be discussing the situation with the referee during the match and was full of praise for his colleagues after the match.
Speaking to ITV, the 23-year-old said: "Obviously it's the rule. I don't know. If you have to see the pride we show, I couldn't ask anything more from the boys.
"It's difficult to be happy with such a result because that is what matters in the end. The boys stayed in the fight."
Ben Youngs on England caps record
Ben Youngs became the all-time England men's appearance maker on Saturday afternoon against Wales on Saturday afternoon, coming on for Bristol's Harry Randall in the second-half in his side's win over Wales.
Youngs, who made his debut in 2010 has lost his starting berth to the 24-year-old Randall in the last two Six Nations game but he says that does not take the shine off a magnificent achievement.
He still has some way to go in order to match Rocky Clark's 137 caps for England women, but rightly received praise for his achievement.
Youngs was joined on the pitch by his family after the game, where he also spoke about his accomplishment, the 32-year-old said: "I've tried to convince myself that today and tomorrow I will sit back and try and absorb it all - I don't think the magnitude of what's happened has sunk in."
"Right now I'm getting a huge amount of joy in helping this young team," he told BBC Radio 5 Live. "While [head coach] Eddie [Jones] still thinks I have value and I feel I have value, it seems to be all right.
"Now I can reflect on that moment and to have the family witness it as well, it was a fabulous occasion."
