Trailing Connacht 14-5 in Kingspan Stadium with one man already in the sin-bin, an Ulster red card straight from the second-half kick-off looks to have put the home side in serious bother.
With Connacht's Cian Kelleher in the air, Ulster's Matty Rea appeared to drive through his opponent, leaving him in a heap on the floor.
After a brief consultation, the referee brought both the captain Rory Best and Rea together, suggesting that the latter was not "in a realistic position" and had taken Kelleher out in the air.
Leaving him with no choice but to issue the Ulster player with a red-card, it did indeed look like a needlessly dangerous move.
You can watch the incident below.
Red card indeed pic.twitter.com/hU4EOZiORH
— Daniel Pitcher (@DanPitchside) October 5, 2018
Although the referee believed it to be a fairly clear-cut call, certain viewers were less convinced.
@PRO14Official That red card is a shocker for Ulster.... Playing clearly looking at the ball he has every right to be on the pitch and compete for the kick off!? Player landed on flat of back as well... Poor interpretation of laws for me
— Ieuan Davies (@ieubird) October 5, 2018
It’s an accidental collision... Lack of common sense for me!?
— Ieuan Davies (@ieubird) October 5, 2018
