IRB back Paris decision

Pearson called the game off just 10 minutes before kick-out despite the pitch at the Stade de France passing an inspection just 90 minutes earlier.

Ireland captain Paul O'Connell described it as "as a bizarre end to a strange day", but the IRB issued a statement backing Pearson's judgement.

"We support Dave Pearson over the decision he made in deeming the Stade de France pitch to be unplayable," the statement read.

"Player welfare and safety is the primary concern for the IRB and its match officials. Following consultation with both coaches and championship organisers, Pearson deemed the pitch unplayable on player welfare grounds."

Ireland coach Declan Kidney also refused to criticise the referee despite the disruption to his team, admitting that Pearson faced "a very difficult situation".

"One man has to decide on 70,000 people all ready to watch a match, 30 players all ready to go and then whether the pitch is safe or not," he said.

"The Six Nations rules are that it's at the sole discretion of the referee. He had to make his call. We walked the part of the pitch that he was concerned with and I understand why he made his call.