Stuart Lancaster says key players not being targeted in a ‘malicious way’

Leinster senior coach Stuart Lancaster has dismissed the idea that teams single out opposing players for malicious treatment after a weekend of Champions Cup rugby which saw both of Ireland’s first-choice half-backs suffer under the yoke of late and dangerous tackles.

Leinster’s Jonathan Sexton, who has had to withstand sustained physical ‘attention’ from both the French national team and Toulon in the past, was left prostrate on Friday night when Montpellier’s Francois Steyn was red-carded after catching him high and late with a forearm.

Munster’s Conor Murray also had to tread carefully the following afternoon when Glasgow’s Josh Strauss and Johnny Gray launched themselves at the scrum-half as he executed box kicks. Both Scottish forwards have since been criticised for their efforts.