The Wexford-born backrow was dismissed for a stamp on the head of fullback Liam Williams at a ruck in deep in Scarlets territory.

Copeland, who is set to join Munster at the end of the season, was shown a straight red card for the infringement and will likely be cited and banned in the coming days.

Williams was also dismissed in a bad-blooded game after two yellow card offences – one of which could have easily been a straight red.

The fullback slammed into Cardiff winger Alex Cuthbert as he collected a high ball; much in the same way as Jared Payne did when dismissed in Ulster’s Heineken Cup quarter-final defeat to Saracens at Ravenhill earlier this month.

While the incidents are very similar, and Williams’s offence perhaps even worse than Payne’s, Cuthbert landing on his hip rather than on the neck or head spared the Welshman from being sent off.

Referee Ian Davies can be heard in the video clarifying with his touch judge that Cuthbert came down on his hip rather than on his head or neck.

Williams was later yellow carded for killing the ball and sent from the pitch as the Blues ran out 17-13 winners.