A freak injury to referee Andrea Piardi saw England and Ireland’s Six Nations clash paused on Saturday at Twickenham.
A little under half an hour into the game, Italian Piardi signalled to the bench that a substitution was required before himself sitting on the turf.
He had to be helped to his feet by his assistants, complaining of a muscle injury.
Before limping off, he called over both captains, Maro Itoje and Caelan Doris, and explained: “It’s hard for me to say, but I am out [of the rest of the game].
“My body is gone. Best of luck for the rest of the game.”
He was replaced, to applause from around the ground, by French referee Pierre Brousset.
It was a quick return to the Twickenham pitch for Brosset, who took charge of England’s win over Wales two weeks ago.
Piardi, a mechanical engineering graduate, in 2024 became the first Italian to take charge of a Six Nations game.
Last summer he took charge of the second Test between Australia and the British and Irish Lions.
