Reaction: Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan revealed match commissioner Rob Flockhart had launched an investigation into a biting incident during the 26-16 victory over Italy.

O'Sullivan claims flanker Simon Easterby was bitten on the arm by an Italian player in the second half as Ireland made an unconvincing start to their Six Nations campaign.

"One of our players, Simon Easterby, was bitten on the arm by an Italian. The match commissioner is looking at it now," he said.  "A substantial mark has been left but the doctor took a look at it and said Simon is okay. We mentioned our concern to the referee but he couldn't do anything because he didn't see the incident.

"This shouldn't happen - there is no place in the game for things like this."

Flockhart has until 3.30pm on Monday to decide whether the Italian player, who has been identified by Easterby but not publicly, should face a Six Nations disciplinary hearing.

The biting incident was one of three major talking points to emerge from a poor championship opener at Lansdowne Road.  Italy were angered by an alleged stamp by Brian O'Driscoll on hooker Fabio Ongaro but the Ireland skipper insisted he was only clearing out a ruck.

"Italy were trying to slow our ball down. Rucking is part of the game these days and as far I'm concerned that's exactly what I was doing," said the Irish captain.

"It's always a physical game against the Italians. Their performance was not a shock to the system for us. It was a tough Six Nations match - exactly what we expected."

Furious Italy coach Pierre Berbizier also claimed his side had been "handicapped" by referee David Pearson who awarded Ireland's second try without consulting the television match official.

Tommy Bowe crossed in the 48th minute when the match was finely poised at 13-10 but he was prevented from grounding the ball by a superb piece of defence from Mauro Bergamasco.

Replays confirmed suspicions that Bowe had not touched down but Pearson awarded the try immediately and failed to consult television match official Malcolm Changleng.

It was a bizarre oversight by the English referee and Berbizier said: "Pearson seemed very sure it was a try but he had the opportunity to use the video and should have taken in.

"The Irish try should have been examined on replays and disallowed. At that point the match was changing and it was a big decision. I cannot accept Pearson giving the try.

"I'd like to see their first try again and the second was definitely not a score. It was too important a situation for us not to use the television match official. We want to play the game with the same rights as other teams. We can't play with a handicap like this. We are a little team but must be treated the same as other sides."

Italy skipper Marco Bortolami was delighted by the Azzurri's gritty performance and claimed it was evidence they are catching up with the rest of the Six Nations.

"The backs were very strong in defence and were very good in moving the ball," he said. "We faced the best centres in the world but played at the same level. If we continue to play like this the gap will close."

O'Sullivan said: "Our performance didn't disturb me. It was a tough game and Italy played very well. We struggled to get on the front foot and played behind the gainline. It was an ugly game of rugby by any standards but that's the way it turned out. It was a hard day at the office."