Joe Schmidt plays down alleged stamp on Dominic Ryan

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt has absolved referee JP Doyle of any error following an alleged stamp on Dominic Ryan by Georgia's Viktor Kolelishvili.

The ASM Clermont Auvergne flanker’s stud made contact with Ryan’s right eye several seconds after Doyle’s whistle had sounded.

Ireland captain Eoin Reddan asked the referee to review the incident. Doyle declined.

That's in contrast to South Africa captain Jean de Villiers having a key decision influenced by referee Wayne Barnes accepting his request to go upstairs in the Rugby Championship victory over New Zealand.

Television Match Official Jim Yuille could have intervened at this juncture.

“I think the protocol is there that the TMO can let the referee know he believes there has been an incident of foul play,” Schmidt explained. “And then he can review it in conjunction with the TMO.

“Obviously the incident had past, and by the time Eoin spoke to the referee the game had moved on and he had heard nothing from the TMO.”

“According to protocol he acted correctly. There is not too much JP Doyle could have done.

“I know it has been talked about a good bit. They may change those protocols but currently his hands are tied a little bit. Luke Pearse on the touch didn’t see it either.

“So they had to go on.”

Georgia coach Milton Haig was also asked about the incident.

“We saw it on the replay in the box. I know Vito wouldn’t be doing anything like that intentionally that’s for sure. We haven’t heard anything from the citing commissioner yet.”