What a wonderful sight this afternoon in Rome. As the sun set over the Basilico San Pietro and the little Stadio Flaminio’s luscious baize was lit up like a beacon in the gloam, an English referee with a combination of poise and breathtaking chutzpah, hijacked the Welsh visitors, right at the death, to give the Italians an unprecedented 2 consecutive 6N victories.

Since they joined the “elite” in 2000, the Italians have had to endure more one-eyed, downright lazy refereeing from Anglo-saxon officials (why don’t we start with international referees learning the basics of the players’ language shall we?) than any continental European viewer should have to endure without putting a foot through the telly.

In ten magical seconds, all of this was consigned to history. The record will show that Italy had scored a try with 2 minutes left on the clock, to give them a 3-point lead and almost certain victory. From the restart, Wales were awarded a penalty! Do they kick for goal and secure a draw or go for touch and try to force a win, thereby risk ignominious defeat (again)? Young Welsh out-half James Hook steps up and makes the decision himself, we go for the win (who wants to settle for a draw against Italy when you’ve lost your first three games?) but not before asking Mr White, the unflappable referee, whether there is enough time:

Hook: How much time is their left?
White: About ten seconds.
Hook: Have we got time to go for the lineout?
White: Yes, if you do it now.
Hook: [PUNT - and the ball sales into touch]

“It’s the last……throw…..of the dice.” intones Jonathan Davies, always ready with a clever turn of phrase. The teams line up for the last lineout….when the ball goes dead, if it’s over the tryline, Wales have won, if it’s anywhere else, Italy have won. It couldn’t be more cruc…..oh, the final whistle’s gone for the end of the game.

Hilarious. Wales up in arms. And more importantly, staring down the barrel of a wooden-spoon-shaped gun.

Fair play to Davies himself, who admits Wales didn’t deserve to win (or draw) anyway and Shane Williams, a dejected figure, who simply said “that’s rugby – we’ve got to get on with it”. Contrast with the reaction of toxic little snapper Dwayne Peel, not to mention ex-captain Gareth Thomas who gave the referee the same sort of verbal treatment that had got him banned for the month preceding this game. Mr White was so unflustered, he looked like he’d just ended a 100-0 match a minute early to spare the loser any more carnage.

The 6N now comprises one division, when as recently as 4 years ago it contained three. Italy are here. The game was superb. The 6 Nations Championship is a real competition. Congratulazioni, the phenomenally incompetent referee!