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Keith Wood and Eddie O'Sul...

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Keith Wood and Eddie O'Sullivan react to the Cipraini red card decision

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98FM

06:15 22 Oct 2018


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After completely taking the sting out of Wasps - and more besides - Leinster's second Heineken Champions Cup pool match didn't quite go as well as Week 1.

The reigning champions came away from Toulouse with a defeat in a topsy-turvy, entertaining encounter.

Keith Wood and Eddie O'Sullivan react to the Cipraini red card decision

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Meanwhile, Munster got their first win of the campaign against Gloucester at Thomond Park and Ulster fell to defeat at Racing 92 where Simon Zebo's celebration and subsequent apology gained spotlight.

To discuss the weekend's action, former Ireland captain Keith Wood and ex-Ireland head coach Eddie O'Sullivan joined Joe Molloy on Monday Night Rugby.

"I think they probably underestimated the intensity Toulouse would bring," said Eddie of Leinster performance early on in France.

"They had an easy day out against Wasps. It's easy to lull yourself into a sense that you're going to be fine."

Leinster's Cian Healy and Tadhg Furlong ©INPHO/James Crombie

While he felt Leinster were "caught cold" in the first 20 minutes, he credited them for the way in which they battled back after that to claw themselves right back into the contest. 

"All in all, it's not a terrible result for Leinster," he continued.

"Because they still got the losing bonus point. I still think they played very well and you've got to give credit to Toulouse for playing well also. It might stand Leinster in good stead going forward."

On the Munster match, yellow and red card decisions had an impact on the game and Eddie and Keith had their say on the red card handed out to Danny Cipriani. 

Gloucester's Danny Cipriani is sent off by Referee Alexandre Ruiz ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

"Now, Cipriani's one was a red card under the law. A very tough one. I mean, I don't think Cipriani went in with any malice. He just got caught a bit high but then again, the irony of all that is Billy Twelvetrees should have gone for a red card as well a few minutes later. His tackle was just as egregious as Danny Cipriani's but the referee knew that if he sent off another Gloucester player off, it would turn into a complete farce. And he bottled it," said Eddie. 

"So what are the laws here? Are they laws or is it a la carte?" 

Keith also shared his thoughts on whether yellow or red would have been the right decision: "In real time as I saw it, I thought it was a yellow card and I know within the letter of the law, it's a red card and I also know that World Rugby are doing their utmost to try and bring the level of the tackle down and for me, then I understand why it's a red card."  


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