Welsh head coach Warren Gatland claimed after the match that Rolland’s decision “ruined” the semi-final and took destiny out of the hands of his players.

Ward however, believes the frustration of Welsh fans and neutrals who have criticised the decision should be directed at the sport itself and not Rolland who merely applied the letter of the law.

“Despite the litany of abuse coming his way, the brilliant Irish referee applied the law to the letter, according to the instructions laid down by the IRB and reinforced in advance of this tournament by referees chief Paddy O'Brien,” Ward stated in the Irish Independent.

“At an IRB high performance seminar ahead of the World Cup, referees were advised to start at a red card and work back for these types of dangerous tackles.

“Rolland acted in the utmost good faith, in what he believed to be the best interest of the game - immediate and longer term - and with great conviction and authority.”

Despite his defence of Rolland, Ward is not entirely approving of Warburton’s red card but believes the problem lies in the rules of the game, not in Rolland’s application of those rules and he believes an enhanced role for the TMO could avoid similar controversies in the future.

“If the technology is available then why not use it, particularly if it means the ultimate outcome of whatever time it takes is the administration of justice?”