Ulster full-back Jared Payne has been hit with a two week ban following his sending off during last Saturday's Heineken Cup quarter-final loss to Saracens.

Payne was red carded in the opening four minutes of the game at Ravenhill after a dangerous challenge on Saracens full back Alex Goode.

The independent Judicial Officer ruled that the offence was reckless and deserved a three week suspension, which was reduced by a week to reflect the 28-year-old's previous clean disciplinary record.

On Monday, Bryn Cunningham told Off The Ball that the collision did not deserve a red card, seeing it as a 50:50 challenge.