"I asked him if we had time for the line out and he said yes if you are quick. We listened to him and decided to kick for touch and go for the win," said Hook. "The boys are a bit bemused but we have to take it on the chin.

"We believe he has made a mistake and he has to accept that, but that's not the reason we lost the game. In the first half they played in our half, put the ball behind us and showed the strength they had. It is a very disappointed dressing room.

"The effort being put in by the players is unbelievable and it is just not happening for us at the moment. We're creating chances but we aren't finishing them off; we can't seem to put points on the board."

Try-scorer Shane Williams, who notched his fifth try in as many games against Italy, was another player who felt puzzled by the timing of the final whistle.

"We asked him how long to go and he said ten seconds," explained Williams. "We asked if we could kick to touch and play and he said carry on."