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.

Kidney adds 12 to Ireland squad

Ireland coach Declan Kidney has added 12 players to his panel for the RBS 6 Nations clash with Wales next Saturday.

Rhys Ruddock, Fergus McFadden, Tony Buckley, Kevin McLaughlin, Mick O'Driscoll, Donnacha Ryan, Gavin Duffy, Andrew Trimble, Johne Murphy, Tomas O'Leary, Devin Toner and Mike McCarthy are added to the panel.

They join the 22 players that made up the squad that beat Scotland last weekend at Murrayfield.
Kidney will name his 22 for the match with Wales on lunchtime on Tuesday.

Munster 38-17 Newport Gwent Dragons

Munster continued their charge towards a home Magners League semi-final as they ran five tries past Newport Gwent Dragons in Cork.
 Penalties from Paul Warwick and Jason Tovey were the only scores until Doug Howlett blitzed through for a brace of tries, handing Munster an 18-9 half-time advantage.
Steve Jones touched down for the Dragons, but tries from man of the match Mick O'Driscoll, Johne Murphy and Alan Quinlan made certain of the bonus point for Munster.
The visitors had to realign their backs division before kick-off. An injury to Will Harries saw Pat Leach move to full-back with Ashley Smith brought into midfield.

Both sides showed an eagerness to attack but early penalties prevented any momentum being built up as Warwick and Tovey traded blows.
 Warwick nudged Munster ahead before Tovey struck an upright with his first penalty. He made amends in the eighth minute before Warwick kicked Munster back in front.
 Tovey then moved the Dragons 9-6 ahead with two well-struck efforts as the likes of Joe Bearman and Toby Faletau made the hard yards.

Leinster 26-15 Scarlets

The Scarlets lost out to one of their Magners League play-off rivals as Leinster took the spoils at the RDS.
 Jonathan Sexton returned to provincial duty to kick four penalties and convert tries in each half from Niall Morris and Isaac Boss.

Rhys Thomas touched down for the Scarlets, who had the final say with a late consolation try from Nic Reynolds.

The game pitted third against fourth and, as such, it was no surprise that the first half was a cagey affair.

With a neck injury ruling Iestyn Thomas out, Gareth Maule captained the Scarlets and he knocked on as the visitors looked to create an early opening on the Leinster 22.

Rhys Priestland dragged a drop goal wide after a turnover from Josh Turnbull, but it was Leinster who managed to open the scoring through winger Morris.

He was invited forward on the right wing and fended off a poor tackle from Priestland to gallop over in the corner. Sexton, benched by Ireland at the weekend, converted for good measure.

The Scarlets were eager to put the ball through the hands and teenager George North saw a good deal of possession, even if Leinster were quick to close him down.

Priestland had two penalty misses either side of a successful 20th minute shot from Sexton, before he redeemed himself near the half-hour mark.