The other weird rugby laws few people know about after Italy shambles

Italian captain Michele Lamaro wouldn’t have been the only one perplexed by the events at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday.

Plenty of people watching on television would have been similarly baffled by the Azzurri having to go down to 13 men when the red card issued to hooker Hame Faiva resulted in the game against Ireland moving to uncontested scrums.

But, however farcical it may have seemed, that’s the law.

Here's the full story of exactly what happened out in Dublin and why.

So, what other little known rugby regulations might people not be aware of?

Here are some to chew over.

The latest Six Nations headlines are here.

Let’s start with another law that has been a big talking point this week, resulting in World Rugby issuing a clarification.

In round 1 of Super Rugby Pacific, the Chiefs’ Fijian No 8 Pita Gus Sowakula hurdled over an attempted tackle from All Blacks scrum-half Aaron Smith on his way to the try line against the Highlanders in Queenstown.

Referee Paul Williams awarded the score, provoking much controversy, with opinion divided on whether it was the right call.

There was nothing specific in the laws of the game to rule against it, so New Zealand Rugby national referee manager Bryce Lawrence sought clarification from World Rugby as to how such incidents should be ruled in future.

Now the governing body has delivered a response - it’s illegal.

The official statement reads: “Jumping to hurdle a potential tackler is dangerous play, as is the act of a ball carrier jumping into a tackle.

“Even if no contact is made, we believe this act is in clear contravention of law 9.11, and runs contrary to the game-wide focus on player welfare.

“If a player is deemed to have left the ground to avoid a tackle; or to jump, or