Compiled by GAVIN CUMMISKEY

WORRYING STATS

“Drill the Ireland stats down further and you find that one man – Jonathan Kaplan – is responsible for almost 40 per cent of their yellow cards, while in the past two seasons only English referees have carded them. And who is taking charge of this weekends Ireland-France game in Dublin? England’s Dave Pearson, the same Pearson who has flourished three yellows in his four championship games to date. Suddenly it is easier to understand why Declan Kidney is so keen to ensure a level playing field this weekend.”

– Guardianrugby correspondent Robert Kitson reveals worrying statistics.

  Off centre: Alberghini lucky

THE PUNISHMENT for inflicting a facial laceration that required stitches and will leave permanent scaring just below the eye of Ireland under-20 lock Michael Kearney?

Six weeks.

Italian centre Giovanni Alberghini (right) was handed such a suspension yesterday by the Six Nations disciplinary committee chaired by Rod McKenzie (Scotland) and including Antony Davies (England) and Terry Vaux (Wales).

Television replays of the incident and the close-in of Kearney’s face make for horrific viewing.

The stamp, contrary to IRB law 10.4 (b), was of a “reckless nature” but the disciplinary committee also “took into account various mitigating factors including the player’s early admission of guilt and previous good disciplinary record”.

Now, try explaining that to all the rugby mothers out there.

McCAW’S METATARSAL SURGERY WELL TIMED

RICHIE McCAW has joined superstars like David Beckham and Wayne Rooney in the metatarsal club. The All Black captain developed a pain doing “yo-yo” running fitness tests last week and a scan confirmed a stress fracture in the fifth metatarsal of his right foot.

Turns out McCaw can even time injury to perfection. He has only been ruled out of the opening month of the newly-structured Super 15 campaign, which gets under way next weekend, as he requires surgery to put a screw in the foot.

The other indispensable member of the New Zealand XV, Dan Carter, may see his world points scoring record surpassed if Jonny Wilkinson can get a run off the bench against Italy at Twickenham on Saturday. Wilkinson is seven points adrift of Carter and just a conversion separates the Toulon outhalf and Ronan O’Gara in the Six Nations all-time points scoring list.

COACH SPEAK

“Ireland is the team that has had the most difficulty getting to the heart of the matter and we can expect an increase in strength on Sunday. We can also expect a return of some players. Some absences were detrimental in Italy. But their context is favourable for them. Even as approximate, they managed to create chances and beat a team that has progressed. It will be a different story this weekend.

French coach Marc Lievremont

Banished: Bastareaud ignored

MATHIEU BASTAREAUD remains the proverbial stone in Marc Lievremonts shoe as the French coach continues to overlook the powerful Stade Français centre, who, incidentally, shredded the Irish defence last season.

Lievremont opted not to select the “Bastarocket” this season over concerns about the big man’s weight while settling on Clermont captain Aurelien Rougerie as his first choice number 13.

In a very Andy Reid-like tale, with shades of Stephen Ireland thrown in, Bastareaud was again omitted from the 30-man Six Nations squad despite midfield injuries. His reaction?

“I do not expect his support, but if he has an affection for me, as he has said, a small gesture of encouragement from him would not have been too much.”

Described as painfully shy and even a man-child, Bastareud’s comments made it a major story again.

“Do I really need to talk about it?” Lievremont wondered aloud when ask to respond to Bastareud comments about putting his head under water by not selecting him.

L'Equipedescribed Lievremont's dark mood as "his face hard, his eyes black".

“We sense a helpless boy,” said the coach. “It’s pretty sad more than anything else. I’m not sure he has been well advised. At the same time, although I always thought he had great potential, I’m here to select competitive players and responsible boys. Today, I’m not sure that Mathieu meets either of these two conditions.”