Looking to secure the Triple Crown and keep their title charge alive, Ireland had been expected to breeze past a Wales side on a record losing streak, but revitalised by interim coach Matt Sherratt, the hosts were taking it to the title challengers.
Then, in the 32nd minute, the game changed when Ringrose flew into a tackle.
Play continued, but referee Christophe Ridley was called to look at the incident by the Television Match Official (TMO).
After a bunker review, where a TMO referee reviews the incident which takes pressure off the match officials, Ringrose’s yellow was upgraded to a 20-minute red card, ending his involvement. .
When Bundee Aki was introduced off the bench in place of Ringrose, Ireland were able to use their full complement to power to victory.
“The incident itself, there was no malice or intent behind it,” Ringrose said.
“You don’t want to put your team-mates in that position. It’s a tough thing for them to go through against any opposition, being a man down for 20 minutes.”
Ringrose said it was a surreal experience sitting at the side of the pitch as he waited to hear if his yellow card would be upgraded.
“You’re waiting to hear the bunker. You know it’s a possibility (it could be upgraded).
“I was a little bit surprised. I wasn’t looking at the big screen at the time, but when you look back at it some angles don’t look great. There’s then an element of realism about it.”
