Jonathan Davies fills in as lead commentator after Andrew Cotter falls ill

The BBC's Six Nations coverage was thrown into disarray after lead commentator, Andrew Cotter, fell ill during Wales's victory over Italy, writes Matt Lloyd.

Cotter began his commentating duties at Stadio Olimpico but was forced to withdraw after just five minutes of the clash due to food poisoning. Former Wales fly-half Jonathan Davies held the fort on his own before record-breaking wing Shane Williams answered the commentary SOS.

Williams raced from his role as a pitch-side pundit to join Davies in the unfamiliar upper echelons The duo blagged their way through the opening 40 minutes and Williams joked at half-time that he would rather be on the pitch.

He later said: "I heard Jonathan wanted me to join him but I really wasn't sure. I was completely out of my depth but enjoyed it in the end. Poor Andrew was staying in the same hotel as me and looked like death warmed up."

Commentary resumed in the second-half with Huw Llewellyn Davies stepping up from S4C to join the former fly-half. Williams added: "Andrew tried to come back but wasn't well enough. It was a real eye opener."