Saracens had two players sent to the sin bin in their 27-9 victory over Ulster at Ravenhill on Friday night, but home fans were baying for more as they slumped to a crushing defeat.
Ulster supporters were livid after Saracens Mike Rhodes received just a yellow card after taking Andrew Trimble out of it after only three minutes of their Champions Cup pool match.
Rhodes thundered into Trimble as he claimed a high ball and was fortunate the Ulster winger landed on his back.
The incident was dangerously similar to the offence that saw Jared Payne see red against the same side – also after three minutes – in the 2013/14 cup semi-final.
A recent rule change means a yellow for players tackled mid-air that land on their back. It is a red card if the fouled player lands on their shoulder or head.
So, one could easily say the luck of the bounce – Trimble’s – saved Saracens.
Here are the two incidents:
PAYNE – 2014 – RED CARD
RHODES – 2015 – YELLOW CARD
There was another yellow card shown to the Premiership side, in the second half. Billy Vunipola was given 10 minutes to cool his jets after a no-arm tackle on Iain Henderson.
Rory Best was sent to the bin with a minute to play and Sarries bossed over for their bonus point-clinching fourth try.
