Six Nations: Wales legends rescue BBC in Rome

Former Wales fly-half Jonathan Davies was forced into emergency match commentary duty as his country beat Italy 26-9 in the Six Nations in Rome.

BBC Wales' Scrum V regular Davies began the match as the BBC's analysis expert.

But commentator Andrew Cotter fell ill and another ex-Wales star, Shane Williams, took over as second-voice.

Huw Llewelyn Davies commentated in Welsh for S4C for the opening period then switched seats to join the BBC One coverage team as Cotter's replacement.

That left his original second-voice partner, former Wales flanker and captain Gwyn Jones, to commentate on BBC Wales' output for Welsh language channel S4C.

After his stint alongside Davies, Williams said: "I would have preferred to have gone on and played hooker rather than do that.

"I was so nervous - you could probably hear it in my voice."

Williams later tweeted: "My apologies to those of you that had to listen to my attempt at commentary today for the Wales v Italy game! #didntseethatcoming."

And at half-time Davies' relief was evident.

"I'm going for a lie down now," said the former dual-code star.

Cotter was also able to communicate via Twitter, saying: "Good timing, winter vomiting bug. Goooood timing....."

He later added: "People are giving me a wide berth at the airport."