Despite my impassioned plea to the sports editor for a two-page spread to discuss the goings-on last Saturday, no dice.
Let's go to Cardiff.
The match is in the 29th minute and I’m about to make a cup of coffee while the match officials (MOs) chalk off a Welsh “try”, Before that’s possible, things start to unravel. I sit down slowly, jaw dropping.
Even at first sight, Louis Rees-Zammit has clearly knocked the ball forward. The match officials astonishingly decide that the on-field decision is a try; but, never mind, referee Pascal Gaüzère refers it to TMO Alex Ruiz. He’ll fix things, I think.
But, instead, it’s going to get worse. Ruiz construes that it is not forward, thinking perhaps that since the ball next went back off the player’s leg then everything is fine, and the try can be awarded.
Don't forget that the incident was replayed several times on the big screen and not one of the four officials, which included Ireland's Andrew Brace and Frank Murphy, saw anything wrong.
Nor did any of them refer to the actual law definition, which put simply is – a player who knocks the ball forward must regather it before it hits the ground or any other player. Rees-Zammit’s leg was an irrelevance.
The try award was utterly unacceptable, and all four officials stand indicted.
On top of that, Gaüzère had earlier allowed another Welsh try to stand while – on the referee's clear instruction – Owen Farrell was talking to the English team. Gaüzère then put the clock back on, with most of the English players still in a bunch near their posts. It was particularly bizarre because Gaüzère had done much the same thing in a World Cup warm-up match between these same teams. Nothing learned since, then.
World Rugby cannot be expected to have to school these top officials in the rudiments of the game. Elite referee head, Joël Jutge, will be tearing his hair out, while being typically open in telling us that Gaüzère has admitted the errors of his ways.
In Rome, Ireland undoubtedly delivered a quality display. But they, as much as anyone, will know that it wasn't a contest
In another age, it would all have amounted to high treason, and the MOs would be heading to the Tower of London. Nowadays, it’s called high incompetence.
And there’s no solace to be claimed in Eddie Jones’s words that he doesn’t blame the officials. He also said he doesn’t want to be fined; his match report to World Rugby will make interesting reading.
Most Unions, including the IRFU, are investing quite a lot into elite referee performance. Even though officiating is a cost centre, it is essential expenditure. I’d imagine, though, some will be looking for a lot more bang for their buck.
How England, particularly Maro Itoje, escaped without a sin-bin is inexplicable. Gaüzère correctly warned – as early as the 16th minute – that one was coming, but despite the penalty count rising, he did not follow through.
In Rome, Ireland undoubtedly delivered a quality display. But they, as much as anyone, will know that it wasn't a contest, Italy plumbed the depths of international performance.
The trick, and it won't be easy, will be to do the same against Scotland.
The fact that it didn't matter a jot that TMO Romain Poite ruled out a perfectly good Iain Henderson try, it was still a terrible decision. And, why oh why, didn't referee Mathieu Raynal ask to see it for himself?
The scrums were a total mess, and Raynal’s soft, nearly monotone, communication wasn’t heeded. There are times when tone and message need to sound more serious.
Ireland need to be very careful at ruck entry. In the first quarter, the Italian prop Marco Riccioni, needed extensive attention, following James Ryan slamming into his back. I wonder how Ireland would react to that if it were an Italian into, say, Sexton's back. It wasn't reviewed, and the match continued. On another day, Ryan might well have gone for at least 10 minutes. And the price could be high.
French coach Fabien Galthié couldn’t bring his team to Scotland, and the match was nixed. Covid played its full part, but how could the French bubble have been burst? Rumours are swirling.
Now, if Galthié couldn't bring his team because of, well, because of Galthié, there will be hard questions asked. And maybe answers hard to find
First, their federation's vice-president Serge Simon pointed the finger at a member of the physio staff. Simon is in charge of all things Covid, so he should know. Non? Read on.
Next, stories emerged that the French sevens squad are responsible.
Then, manager Raphael Ibanez had the idea that maybe they got it in Ireland, perhaps a diversionary tactic.
Most troubling, by far, is the speculation that Galthié himself did not adhere to the strict bubble protocols, and that he is also a candidate.
Now, if Galthié couldn’t bring his team because of, well, because of Galthié, there will be hard questions asked. And maybe answers hard to find.
Federation president Bernard Laporte seems aligned strongly with the sevens theory, but also needs to get all the details. While staunch in his support for Galthié, and that there is no question of the coach having to quit, he has now admitted that Galthié did break camp. There's a whiff of Dominic Cummings here.
Sports minister Roxana Maracineanu is not going to be fooled. Speaking on French TV she is clearly unamused that the story has had three different versions so far. And that the French team's permission to travel, and train together, is government-authorised and can be revoked. Ouch.
It isn’t over yet – not by a long shot.
Myself, and other whistlers, were very fortunate to share a pitch from time to time with Gary Halpin; and to enjoy post-match banter with the warmest and most humorous of men. On behalf of us all, deepest condolences to his loved ones.
