Jean Kleyn was shown a controversial yellow card for a hit on Jamie Osborne during today's inter-pro derby between Leinster and Munster at the Aviva Stadium.
Leinster eventually ran out 27-13 winners, despite an inexperienced Munster side keeping the score close for the majority of the match, with the southern province also seeing two of their men sent to the sin bin.
Shortly after Keenan Knox arrived back from his 10 minutes on the sideline, Jean Kleyn was shown yellow by referee Andy Brace, after the second-row jumped into Jamie Osborne when the Leinster wing chipped over him.
Fans And Pundits Torn Over Jean Kleyn Yellow Card
Ouch. Nasty.
Jean Kleyn lucky to just get a yellow?
CJ Stander on Lambie vibes.#LEIvMUN pic.twitter.com/0qZMPiHMDA— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) October 22, 2022
Jean Kleyn providing that unicorn moment in rugby where people are debating the sanction all the way from ‘play on!’ to ‘red card’.
Just know that my opinion is correct; everyone who disagrees with me is wrong; and that’s that.
What’s my opinion on it, you ask?
Well… 1/234— (Sp🎃🎃ky) A-P (@rugby_ap) October 22, 2022
Can anyone please explain to this former ref how Jean Kleyn warranted a yellow card when he was actually tacked in the air?@Munsterrugby @leinsterrugby
— NoPlanetB (@IcebergsMelting) October 22, 2022
Kleyn should really just have disappeared there. #LEIvMUN
— Three Red Kings (@threeredkings) October 22, 2022
READ HERE: Bulls Win Was Impressive For Munster, But Leinster Are A Diffferent Animal - Ferris
Initially it seemed that Kleyn was competing fairly for the ball and going straight up in the air in a block-down attempt, but on repeat viewing, he moved forward while jumping and the leap itself was late and careless.
Although Osborne's head connected with the arm of Kleyn, he came out relatively unscathed.
Munster captain Jack O'Donoghue pleaded with Brace that there was nothing Kleyn could have done in the situation, while many on social media were in agreement, with some even arguing that it was Osborne at fault for taking Kley out in the air.
On the other end of the scale were those who thought the South African born lock was extremely fortunate not to have been shown red, and compared the incident to CJ Stander's red card hit on Pat Lambie in 2016.
It is impossible to predict whether the decision to send Kleyn to the bin changed the outcome of the match, as Munster performed admirably when they were down to 14 men.
Despite the loss, it was a positive venture for them given the age profile and inexperience of the team.
SEE ALSO: Shock As Connacht Backrow Escapes Red Card After Undertaker-Like Tackle
