Johnny Sexton was 24 minutes into the second game of his comeback when he was appallingly taken out by rival 10 Francois Steyn.
Sexton had started well against Montpellier at the RDS – kicking to conversions and setting up an Isa Nacewa try with a fine, looping pass.
As he joined in another attack, off an Adam Byrne clean break, he was taken on by a high, slightly late hit by Steyn.
The referee, JP Doyle, watched several reviews before sending the South African off. Sexton returned seven minutes later after passing a Head Injury Assessment.
@SportsJOEdotie sickening hit on Sexton pic.twitter.com/MENpqQ5dix
— Darragh Murphy (@DarrMurphy) January 13, 2017
Leinster are bossing the action and led the French side 24-3 at half-time.
Sexton made one superb turnover-inducing tackle with Robbie Henshaw just before that break and won Leinster the ball back on their own line with a crunching, legal tackle on Montpellier flanker Fulgence Ouedraogo:
You can see further replays of that Steyn/Sexton incident here:
WATCH: Frans Steyn red card for this late & high tackle on Johnny Sexton. VIDEO: https://t.co/ZVQCbjkafN #LEIvMON live on SS2 NOW! pic.twitter.com/LyZwLLcd5D
— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) January 13, 2017
