France saved twice in a row by officiating decisions

For the second consecutive game France were rescued from Six Nations defeat at the weekend by a late controversial officiating decision, leaving Italy heartbroken as they were denied a famous win, just like Scotland before them.

The Scots were left fuming in round two when a late try which would have won them the game at Murrayfield was ruled out after the Television Match Official (TMO) went with the referee's on field decision.

In the final seconds referee Nic Berry ruled Scotland's attempt had been held up and TMO Brian MacNeice, after initially saying he could see the ball on the ground, changed his mind to say there was no conclusive evidence to overturn the decision.

Replays, however, appeared to show the ball grounded onto a French boot before it slipped onto the turf and France held on to win 20-16. On Sunday they salvaged a draw when Italy missed a stoppage-time penalty with the score tied at 13-13.

Italy can feel aggrieved not because of the ball bizarrely slipping from the tee which cost Paolo Garbisi valuable seconds, but because referee Christophe Ridley, officiating his first Six Nations game, failed to apply the laws of the game.

A French player initially moved forward to charge down the kick, then stopped when it toppled off the tee. After Garbisi hurriedly replaced it there was another brief charge before the player was held back by a team mate.

Charging is allowed with conversions but for a penalty  the opposing team must stand still with their hands by their sides from the time the kicker starts to approach until the ball is kicked.

The referee ordered the player to retreat but could have taken more decisive action as the law states that if the opposing team infringes while the kick is being taken and the