Ireland v Italy: The performance of the English referee Dave Pearson prompted understandable anger from the Italians at Lansdowne Road, especially head coach Pierre Berbizier. Not only did he query why Pearson didn't employ the television match official (TMO), Malcolm Changleng, for either of the two highly contentious Irish tries, but he also questioned why Brian O'Driscoll wasn't sinbinned for stamping
Berbizier certainly appeared to have irrefutable logic behind his argument regarding the two Irish tries, by Jerry Flannery and Tommy Bowe, in the 26th and 48th minutes.
In neither instance did the Irish player appear to ground the ball properly, but Pearson, utterly unflustered afterwards over the controversy surrounding his Six Nations debut, stood by his decision not to invoke the TMO.
"It was clear he (Flannery) grounded the ball before he was lifted up. Flannery was always in control of the ball, he carried it close to his body and from where I was standing you could clearly see the ball going down slowly, slowly, slowly. O'Gara does smack his (Flannery's) hand and that is the pressure that does get the ball down. It was definitely Flannery's try."
"The video ref should be called in when the referee has a doubt," added Pearson. "I had no doubts about either of them. For me, the second one was brought to ground then lifted up. I am convinced Tommy Bowe put the ball on the deck."
Pearson did admit: "I was slightly more nervous than for a Guinness (English Premiership) game, for obvious reasons. (It was a) massive game," and also confirmed that: "I think the match (commissioner) might be having a look at a couple of incidents. I don't know what he is looking at. With the O'Driscoll incident I think I penalised the Italians for coming in late."
Key Refereeing Decisions
2nd minute: A professional foul by a prone Simon Easterby, who lifts his hand to spoil Paul Griffen's fourth-phase clear-out under the Irish posts.The clear-cut penalty and certain three points, and possible yellow card, was missed by referee and both touch judges, Pearson instead giving Ireland a relieving scrum.
26th minute: After a lineout steal by Paul O'Connell, the Irish maul rumbles over the Italian line and the ball appears to drop to the ground from Jerry Flannery's arm before Ronan O'Gara touches it down. Pearson awards Ireland a try without recourse to the TMO.
38th minute: Brian O'Driscoll pulls Fabio Ongaro from a ruck and stamps Ongaro on his left side as Pearson signals the Italian has been penalised for playing the ball on the ground.
39th minute: Ramiro Pez is sinbinned for a late shoulder charge on Gordon D'Arcy after the latter passes. O'Gara lands the ensuing penalty.
42nd minute: O'Connell clearly pulls an Italian maul down as it inches towards the Irish posts and is penalised at behest of a touch judge but after a quick tap by Pablo Canavosio no further action is taken.
48th minute: With Pez still binned, O'Gara cross-kicks off a lineout maul as the Italian five-man defence pushes up quickly, Tommy Bowe gathering and stepping inside Cristian Stoica before being rolled over in the tackle by Mauro Bergamasco without appearing to touch the ball down. Pearson awards the try.
75th minute: An exchange of punches, shoving and views are prompted by Denis Leamy rucking/stamping down on Griffen as an Italian maul goes to ground. Pearson, having awarded Ireland a scrum, changes this to an Irish penalty when picking out Italian replacement prop Martin Castrogiovanni for punching.
77th minute: Italian players are angered that Donncha O'Callaghan isn't penalised for crossing in front of Leamy before Pearson penalises them at the ensuing ruck for not rolling away.
