Saturday 10 December 2016 13:13, UK
Northampton coach Jim Mallinder offered no consolation to Dylan Hartley following his dismissal in the 37-10 defeat by Leinster at Franklin's Gardens.
The England captain lasted just six minutes after he came off the bench and was given his marching orders by referee Jerome Garces for a stiff-arm strike on Sean O'Brien.
A bonus point defeat leaves Northampton at the foot of their European Champions Cup pool, and Mallinder was in no mood to make excuses for the hooker.
"You can't strike to the head. We've seen enough of them over the last few weeks and I think it was a red card," Mallinder said.
"Dylan has been playing really well and leading England by example, so it was disappointing on returning from England and doing such a good job that that happens.
"I wouldn't say it cost us the game. I think we started badly, came back into the game pretty well and we had just conceded a try, actually, so we were already a few points down.
"But I think when you go down to 14 men against such a quality side as Leinster then you're always going to be up against it."
Northampton finished the match with 13 men after George Pisi was sin-binned for a dangerous tackle on Isa Nacewa, who scored the final try to leave Leinster coach Leo Cullen satisfied.
"Obviously once the red card happens I thought we were pretty clinical in the way that we played in terms of managing the game in the right areas and just taking the opportunities when they came," Cullen said.
"It was pleasing how we closed the game out, but there were probably areas where we can be better at, so I'll have a look over the weekend and try to make a few changes when we come in on Monday.
"The score was 20-10 at the time and I thought the guys showed good composure again - Rory (O'Loughlin) did unbelievably well from Ross (Byrne's) cross-field kick.
"That was really pleasing to see those new European caps come in, but the red card definitely knocked the stuffing out of them."
