Investigation into France switch

Six nations officials have opened an investigation into the chaotic scenes at theendof the France-Wales game in Paris on Saturday.

Wales’ interim head coach Rob Howley said the “integrity of the game had been brought into disrepute” after France replacement prop Uini Atonio went off for a head injury assessment, with starting tighthead Rabah Slimani then returning during a remarkable 20 minutes of second-half stoppage time.

Slimani had earlier been replaced but the France team doctor insisted Atonio needed an HIA, therefore allowing Slimani to go back on as France laid siege to Wales’ line through a series of scrums.

Launching an investigation into the incident, a six nations statement read: “SNRL is aware of concerns about the head injury assessment that took place towards the end of the match and is looking into the matter.”

Wales conceded a tryand 100th-minute conversion to lose 20-18 and Howley said: “What happened in the last 10 minutes of that game shouldn’t ever happen again on an international rugby field.”