Will the Italians file a complaint?
Unlikely that this is in the mentality of Gonzalo Quesada, the new coach of the Squadra Azzurra.
But he would have the right to do so.
The images are indeed crystal clear, several French players violated the regulations on Paolo Garbisi's attempt.
To discover
Ranking Tournament 6 of Nations
Calendar and results 6 Nations
We play stoppage time when Mr. Ridley awards a penalty for a ball kept on the ground by the French.
35 meters slightly to the left of the posts.
But Garbisi places his ball incorrectly on the tee, has to replace it and rush to hit before the end of the allotted minute.
A wave of panic for a ball which hits the right post.
And saved France from the supreme humiliation of a first defeat at home against Italy in the Six Nations Tournament.
There is nothing to say about this mess.
Problem is, French players engaged in prohibited behavior during this attempt.
First François Cros, who rushed towards the Italian striker when the ball fell.
Quickly stopped by the English referee reminding him that he had no right to intervene since it was a penalty and not a conversion.
When Paolo Garbisi rushes to strike urgently, we clearly see, this time, Sébastien Taofifenua raise his arms, then take a few steps forward until Cros orders him to stop.
In the event of an infraction, if the kick fails,
the non-offending team is awarded a new penalty
Article 8.27 of the World Rugby regulations
What does the regulation say?
Law 8.22 states that, during a penalty attempt, “
the opposing players must remain motionless, with their hands against their bodies, between the start of the backswing and the kick of the ball.
» Which was not the case for the LOU pillar.
In the case of an infringement of this first law, article 8.27 specifies that “
if the kick fails, the non-offending team is awarded a new penalty, 10 meters in front of the initial mark
”.
Christophe Ridley should therefore have given the penalty back to the Italian fly-half, and ten meters closer to the posts.
As ex-Welsh international referee Nigel Owens confirmed on X. “
You cannot charge a penalty until the scorer has touched the ball.
» And this time, it is very likely that Garbisi did not miss the opportunity for a historic success for a second.
A very very fair play Garbisi after the match.
“
Was I bothered by the French players who moved?
No, it didn't bother me.
My only thing was to get the ball back on the tee as quickly as possible.
I didn't even see that the French players had come up…
” Great class.