O'Driscoll hits out at 'unforgivable' decision

Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll has labelled the decision to allow Mike Phillips' controversial try to stand as 'unforgivable' following his side's 19-13 defeat at the Millennium Stadium.

The crucial moment of a hard-fought RBS 6 Nations encounter came with Ireland leading 13-9 in the 50th minute when Wales hooker Matthew Rees took a quick lineout and the scrum-half raced away to score in the corner.

But TV replays showed that Rees had taken the lineout with a different ball to that kicked out of play by Ireland replacement Jonathan Sexton, something which is not allowed under IRB regulation 19.2.

Referee Jonathan Kaplan asked his assistant, Peter Allan of Scotland, whether the ball used was the same as that which left the field and, when he answered in the affirmative, the try was awarded.

Kaplan was not able to call on the video referee to adjudicate as the TMO is only to be used for decisions on the act of scoring.

Wales 19-13 Ireland

Wales claimed a controversial victory at the Millennium Stadium which kept their RBS 6 Nations title hopes alive and ended Ireland's bid for a fifth Triple Crown in eight seasons.

Scrum-half Mike Phillips celebrated his 50th cap by scoring an opportunist try to underpin Wales' first home win since last year's tournament.

But it came after Wales skipper Matthew Rees took a quick throw-in with a different ball from the one that was sliced into touch by Irish substitute Jonathan Sexton, which is against rugby's Law 19.2.

Referee Jonathan Kaplan consulted Scottish assistant official Peter Allan before awarding the score, but the Irish players were furious as television replays confirmed the try should never have been allowed.

Wales rode their luck as fly-half James Hook converted the try and kicked three penalties, while wing Leigh Halfpenny landed a long-range strike, with Ireland creating a Brian O'Driscoll try and Ronan O'Gara booting eight points which took him past 1,000 in Test rugby.

Italy 22-21 France

Italy claimed their first RBS 6 Nations victory over France at the 12th attempt with a 22-21 triumph in Rome this afternoon.

Racing-Metro full-back Andrea Masi scored the only try for the home side and Mirco Bergamasco kicked 17 points as Italy secured their first win in this year's tournament.

France scored tries through Vincent Clerc and Morgan Parra, with the latter kicking three penalties and a conversion.

The Azzurri, who had eight France-based players in their side, punished the French for a sloppy performance at the Stadio Flaminio.

It was the second defeat in succession for Marc Lievremont's side following their 17-9 loss to England at Twickenham, while Italy were finally rewarded for their efforts following defeats to Ireland, England and Wales.

Italy put points on the board after two minutes after being awarded a penalty when France skipper Thierry Dusautoir was caught offside.

Bergamasco converted from close range to bring the stadium to life, but the visitors produced a well-worked try in the 14th minute.