So sick to deaf of VAR

FOOTY NEEDS HEARING AID LIKE RU REFS

- with JEREMY CROSS

JUST imagine if you could listen to what a football referee was thinking? Just imagine if you could hear an explanation for a decision they made, like a foul, sending off, or goal which had been ruled out or allowed to stand? Well those who go to watch rugby union matches can.

And what a welcome addition it proved to be in the fantastic opening round of the Six Nations, after being trialled in the autumn internationals.

In Dublin, more than 50,000 in the Aviva Stadium fell almost silent to listen to referee Ben O'Keeffe explain why Ireland's opening try against England had been ruled out.

It was because England captain Maro Itoje had been illegally held back in the process of trying to stop Ireland cross the line.

At the time of the incident, few people had spotted the infringement, including those commentating.