Phillips hits back at provocation allegations from the Italians

Mar 7 2008 by Gareth Griffiths, South Wales Echo

WALES team manager Alan Phillips has hit back at claims by Italy coach Nick Mallett that Warren Gatland’s men provoked Azzurri flanker Mauro Bergamasco into gouging Lee Byrne.

Italy have written to the IRB to make an official complaint about the actions of Welsh players during the Six Nations clash in Cardiff a fortnight ago.

Mallett has accused Wales of goading Bergamasco, who has been banned for 13 weeks for gouging Byrne at the end of his team’s 47-8 defeat at the Millennium Stadium.

Italy have also written to English referee Dave Pearson and the Six Nations citing commission to air their grievances.

But Phillips has dismissed the claims and believes the Italy flanker was wrong to react by gouging.

“Whatever has happened two minutes before should not provoke anybody to put their fingers near somebody’s eyes,” said Phillips.

“It’s not the done thing to do.

“You’ve got to remain disciplined. “With the camera angles you have got now, you are certainly walking the line. If you step over the line you will get caught.

“Bergamasco is the type of player who plays on the line and these things will happen.”