Matthew Rea was one of the few bright spots for Ulster in an otherwise disappointing first-half for the northern province against Connacht at the Kingspan Stadium.
The Ballymena flanker carried strongly, tackled hard and won a critical turnover for the hosts when they were on the ropes right in front of their own posts, and then it all went wrong for him to start the second-half, horribly wrong.
Ulster came out of half-time looking to get back into a game that just seemed to constantly get away from them at every turn in Belfast.
However, their chances of a second-half fightback took a hammer blow within seconds of the restart after substitute utility back Cian Kelleher was caught in the air from the kick-off by a hard running Rea.
Video footage shows that Rea had his eye on the ball but referee Andy Brace deemed that the play constituted a red card.
World Rugby’s laws have multiple definitions on in air challenges.
According to law 10.4:
A fair challenge with both players in a realistic position to catch the ball, even if the player(s) land(s) dangerously, should result in play on.
A fair challenge with wrong timing – no pulling down – should result in a penalty, while a yellow card should see a fair challenge where there is no contest and the player is pulled down landing on his back or side.
A red card should see a fair challenge with no contest, whilst being a reckless or deliberate foul play action and the player lands in a dangerous position.
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