Lewsey's absence was put into context by England back-row Lawrence Dallaglio, his captain at English clubs Wasps.

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In this dismal context it is no wonder that a row has broken out in Italy, where control of Telecom Italia recently passed to Pirelli, a tyre and cables group.

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That context is critical, but much of that context is still unclear, which is one reason why this row is dragging on.

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