Marco Riccioni did not play a single minute against Australia. He still got sent off. The Perpignan prop, omitted from Italy's match-day squad for Saturday's 57-10 Nations Championship hammering in Australia, left the dugout in a tracksuit when a touchline confrontation flared and appeared to throw a punch before a red card was produced in his direction — one of the more extraordinary disciplinary moments the competition has witnessed.

SANZAAR's foul play review committee found Riccioni guilty of conduct contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship and handed him a four-match ban. That was halved to two matches after he admitted his actions warranted the red card, with the committee also taking into account his disciplinary record, conduct and remorse. He will now miss Perpignan's upcoming fixtures against Biarritz and Bath.

Italy's Nations Championship campaign continues to unravel. The 57-10 defeat to the Wallabies was a sobering result for the Azzurri, and the off-field incident only added to the headlines. As we noted earlier this week, four Springboks were named in the Nations Championship XV — a reflection of just how wide the gap remains between the competition's leading nations and those still finding their footing.

Crucially, the suspension carries no international consequence for Riccioni. He remains available for Italy's next Nations Championship assignment — a trip to Turin on 7 November to face the Springboks. South Africa arrive in Italy off the back of a 43-0 demolition of Wales, and Rassie Erasmus's side will be in no mood to ease up. For Italy, keeping their discipline and their squad intact before that clash just became a little more complicated.