Watch: Rory Best explains why Italy went down to 13 men against Ireland and how Twitter reacted

Italy were forced to play the majority of their Six Nations match against Ireland at Aviva Stadium with 13 men.

This happened after Italy hooker Gianmarco Lucchesi left the field injured and his replacement Hame Faiva was sent off for a high tackle on Dan Sheehan, with referee Nika Amashukeli giving him his marching orders after a TMO review.

Having lost both of their hookers, Italy were forced to go down another man as they had to bring on another front rower. 

The law in question states teams must be reduced to 13 players if uncontested scrums are used as a result of a sending off.

Former Ireland captain Rory Best explains the law below:

Rory Best explains why Italy have gone down to 13-men#GuinnessSixNations #IREvITA pic.twitter.com/UHxOZQ6JLd

— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) February 27, 2022

This is the scenario that applies in this case: pic.twitter.com/OXTT8EkxG6

— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) February 27, 2022

Twitter did not react kindly.

Imagine paying money to watch this game, seeing Italy go down to 14.

Then seeing Italy go to uncontested scrums with 13 players.

Dreadful

— JB (@Jbeardmore) February 27, 2022

If scrums are uncontested, why do you need three front rowers?

— Alex Payne (@AlexPayneTV) February 27, 2022

This law will be looked at. It will have to be.

— A-P (@rugby_ap) February 27, 2022

Can’t shake the feeling if this happened to most tier one teams, World Rugby would change the law by the end of the year. But it’s Italy, so they won’t.

— Squidge Rugby (@SquidgeRugby) February 27, 2022

Gonna have to change the laws after this shambles. Surely?! Yeeesh. Hollow. Despite what would of been.

— Max Lahiff (@LahiffMax) February 27, 2022

What a way to ruin a rugby game…this rule doesn’t make sense

— Tommaso Allan (@Allan_Tommy) February 27, 2022