Italy produced a shock 6-0 win over England in the U20 Six Nations on Friday night, underlining the progression made in Italian rugby in recent years.
However, the occasion was marred by an incident late on in the game after Bristol winger Deago Bailey suffered a head injury in the 76th minute.
The 19-year-old was seen to be holding his head after an awkward fall while competing for the ball in the air and was checked by the England medical team who deemed him to be fine despite protocol stating that all head injuries must be subject to a head injury assessment (HIA).
The French referee Aurelie Groizeleau was praised for sticking to protocols and overruling the England doctor - as often happens the player was resisting an HIA as well but with increased awareness around head injuries it was necessary.
England's team member could be heard challenging the ref, saying "I'm a doctor... we've assessed him" with the referee adamant: "It's the match doctor who decides the situation."
Former France player Groizeleau, 32, later told French outlet Sud Ouest : "I was sure of myself, of my decision, of the protocol that I had to respect. In addition, this had been verified by my video referee. I can have a strong character and I think I showed it.
"I didn't let myself be walked all over. And I think it is welcomed by the English themselves, who did not understand the behaviour of their doctor. Because there, clearly, we do not respect the health of the player by leaving him on the ground."
When asked if she was surprised by the reaction, she said: "Yes quite. Me, I continue the action and it's my assistant who asks me to stop because the player was passed out, which I didn't notice right away.
"The match doctor immediately enters the field, immediately I understand the gravity of the situation. My report is with the match doctor, not those of the teams. If he tells me he has to go out, we apply the medical protocol without discussion."
Co-Host of Performance Analysis Podcast Sam Larmer analysed the incident in a Twitter thread, saying that: "Referee Aurelie Groizeleau deserves enormous credit for just taking the appropriate action under that unreasonable pressure."
England U20s won a grand slam last year but will not be able to repeat the feat after this defeat in Treviso and with the Italians on the rise it could be good news for the whole of European rugby.
