Leinster No 10 Johnny Sexton defended Frans Steyn after being high tackled by the Montpellier flyhalf during their European Champions Cup clash on Friday.
Steyn was red-carded for the incident in the 27th minute of the match, which Leinster went on to win 57-3.
VIDEO: Frans Steyn red-carded for high tackle
'It felt like a forward when Frans hit me,' Sexton said. 'When I looked back at the incident on TV I expected it to be one of their back row forwards.
'I know Frans well and he's a good guy.
It looked as though I was ducking down into it a little bit, so it could have been accidental. But with these new laws you can't afford to be reckless.
'It was probably a yellow card before, but now it's a red. I felt for him because he's not a dirty player.'
