ULSTER COACH NEIL Doak says the province will appeal the red card shown to Iain Henderson during their 23-23 Guinness Pro12 draw with Munster at Kingspan Stadium.
The Ireland international was sent off by referee Nigel Owens in the 73rd minute of play in Belfast for what the Welsh match official and his TMO Kevin Beggs believed to be use of the head in clearing out Ronan O’Mahony.
Ulster coach Doak disagreed with the decision and confirmed post-match that the northern province will be appealing the decision in the hope that the red card is rescinded and Henderson is free to play against Glasgow Warriors next weekend and in the Pro12 semi-finals a week later.
Doak said he hadn’t had an opportunity to hear Henderson’s account of the incident yet, but would be surprised if the blindside flanker didn’t share his feelings of disagreement with Owens’ call.
“I do not think Hendy showed any intent to go in and clean anybody out around the head,” said Doak. “But I think that has been the season for us so far, that we have not got the rub of the green in certain decisions and obviously a red card would be a certain ban but we would be appealing it.”
I haven’t had a chance to speak to him [Henderson] yet,” continued Doak. “I think he would say that he didn’t put any malice into it and we’ll have a look and see what comes through in the next few days.
“We’ll definitely be appealing it.”
Munster head coach Anthony Foley was similarly reluctant to comment on the Henderson red card in detail, although he did point out that the Ulsterman had not bound himself to O’Mahony in rucking.
“Look, you have to be bound into a ruck with your shoulders, so I don’t know where the contact was,” said Foley.
We couldn’t see it clearly where the contact was, but obviously it was clear enough for the TMO, the touch judge to cite it originally and then Nigel had to make a decision based on what was presented to him.
“From my point of view, I’m not going to talk about it.”
-Originally published 17.59
