Cardiff hooker Liam Belcher faces a potentially significant ban after a tackle in the Welsh derby against the Dragons that has been described as "disgusting, horrendous and reckless".
Belcher was the second player to be sent off inside the opening half at Rodney Parade, following Dragons lock Joe Davies to the stands. Both incidents were clear red cards, but the ferocity of Belcher's hit on Will Reed was particularly grim viewing, even if the Dragons outside-half did lower his height as he fell towards the ground just before the tackle.
Belcher, though, never appeared to be legal in his challenge, with a swinging arm and clenched fist showing clear recklessness.
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Predictably, the tackle outraged the home crowd as referee Craig Evans watched a number of replays in the ground before deciding to show the red card. Gasps, boos and general fury greeted every angle shown on the big screen. Reed was immediately taken from the field to undergo a HIA but later returned.
The incident was heavily criticised by viewers watching at home, with WalesOnline rugby correspondent Matthew Southcombe, who was at the game, adding: "This is not a comment about Belcher, but that is a disgusting tackle. Wildly out of control. Another deserved red card."
Former Wales international Dafydd James didn't pull any punches either, saying on Scrum V: "It had to be a red card. I thought as soon as he hit him across the head it was very dangerous. Reckless play. There were mitigating circumstances with him falling but you have to control that. That's reckless, that will cause damage. Red card is the right decision."
Earlier, Dragons player Davies had been sent off in the 16th minute for a dangerous shoulder to the head at a ruck. Again, there was little doubt about the outcome.
BBC pundit Aled Brew said: "It's very sloppy play by Joe. He's a big man and it's maybe hard for him to control his limbs and size but it is just sloppy. He even comes in from the side."
James added: "It was just silly play. Reckless, a red card and rightly so."
