The Offload: Aurelie Groizelea keeps her cool despite English protestation

Much to admire in Aurelie Groizelea’s performance

There was so much to admire in the manner in which French referee Aurelie Groizeleau dealt with what had the potential to be a contentious incident late on in Italy’s 6-0 victory over England in their Under-20 international.

England’s Deago Bailey and Italy’s Lorenzo Pani legitimately contested a high ball but unfortunately for the English right wing on landing, he smacked his head off the ground. The English doctor ran on and indicated a head injury. Play was stopped and Bailey examined.

The England medical team - a physiotherapist appeared to ask for the Italian player to be carded according to those privy to the match audio - then told Groizeleau that the player was fit to continue but the referee had been told by the independent match doctor that Bailey needed to be sent for a Head Injury Assessment (HIA).

England’s doctor was picked up on the television coverage challenging the French official, saying “I’m a doctor... we’ve assessed him.” Groizeleau replied that “it’s the match doctor who decides the situation.” The doctor continued to argue but the referee stood firm and the player was eventually escorted from the pitch.

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Groizeleau, the 32-year-old former French Sevens and 15s international, deserves huge credit for the manner in which she handled the situation, refusing to back down when badgered by the English medical team. They should have accepted the referee’s direction immediately.

It will be interesting to see if World Rugby seeks an explanation for the embarrassing scenes and Groizeleau receives an apology. She’s certainly entitled to one.

Number of the week

9 - The number of wins that Ireland had managed on the trot before that came to an end with France's victory at the Stade de France.

Quote of the week

"We were expecting this tough battle; we know the Irish and all 23 of us stood up to be counted. I don't like too much to say this was a final. This championship is magnificent and each weekend there is a match. It is like a final. All the matches are huge affairs." France number eight Gregory Alldritt, who has Irish ancestry, outlines how much Saturday's win meant to the team.

Glitch in the Six Nations matrix

There seems to be a glitch in the software used on the Six Nations official website in the blogs making it rather confusing to try and follow matches. This column first noticed it on the opening weekend of the tournament for the Under-20 game between Ireland and Wales, where in the timeline players were (a) listed as replacing themselves, (b) listed as replacing a player from another team, (c) and replacing a player in a completely different position; ie a prop replacing a fullback.

This was once again prevalent this weekend, not only though at the age-grade level but for the Six Nations game between France and Ireland at the Stade de France. It’s not often that you would have Peter O’Mahony replacing Paul Willemse, Jack Carty replacing himself, and Conor Murray coming on for Robbie Henshaw in the 63rd minute, the precise time in which Henshaw then replaced Murray.

Romain Taofifenua came on for Dan Sheehan who had earlier replaced Ronan Kelleher according to the timeline in the blog. There are another dozen examples. It was exactly the same in the Wales win over Scotland, players from one team replacing players from another. It’s surprising to say the least that no one from the tournament organisers has noticed these glitches over the first two weekends.

Italy won’t roll over for Ireland Under-20s

The Ireland Under-20 team’s last ditch heroics to snatch a 17-16 victory against their French counterparts in Aix-en-Provence through Ben Brownlee’s try and Charlie Tector’s nerveless conversion was accomplished without three first choice players.

Centre Fionn Gibbons, tighthead prop Scott Wilson and right wing Chay Mullins, who scored two tries against Wales in the opening match of the tournament, were ruled out but should be fit to face Italy at Musgrave Park on Friday week.

The Italians 6-0 victory over England, their first at this level - they have already beaten the English at Under-18 level - showed just how much they have progressed. It’s not as if Ireland need a reminder as they beat Ireland in Dublin before Christmas in a warm-up match for both countries.

Irish Under-20 head coach Richie Murphy said: “They beat us, beat us quite well. Italy are a good side, a bit like France, big and physical and well able to play with the ball. We have a massive challenge but we are looking forward to getting back to Cork. We have a good record there.”

He also elaborated on his highlights from the win over France. “To put in a performance like that away in France and to stick in the game the way they did to get that opportunity to win it in the end was pretty special. They have worked really hard and I am delighted for them.

“In many ways there’s a bit of ticker about them, they stuck at it, went after France, kept the ball on the pitch for long periods of play; we weren’t that accurate in some things that we did but we will look at that and try and improve. In fairness we stuck at it and they (the players) found a way in the end.”