Hugo Keenan says he supports the decision to overturn Freddie Steward's red card from Saturday's Six Nations finale against England.
The England full-back was sent off just before half time in the Grand Slam decider after colliding with the head of Keenan, who didn't return to the game after failing his head injury assessment.
That red card was rescinded on Wednesday after an independent disciplinary panel found that Keenan's late change of movement and height was a mitigating factor, with the Ireland 15 having dipped to pick up the ball before the clash with Steward, downgrading the incident to a yellow card.
And Keenan believes it's fair that Steward is free to play after what he says was just an unfortunate "rugby incident".
"It's probably fair enough, isn't it?," he said. "It's up to the citing commissioners and the refs to make those decisions, but it was a bit of an accident, wasn't it?
"He was very apologetic nearly straight away after and then after on the pitch as well. As a fellow full-back, I feel for him in those positions. I think it was just one of those sort of rugby incidents, it's not like it was a reckless high challenge or anything like that.
"I caught him on the pitch and he apologised. I accepted it completely and we had a little chat. He's a lovely lad in fairness."
And the Leinster full-back says the size disparity between he and the 6ft 5in Steward probably played into the decision by referee Jaco Peyper and his match officials.
"He's a very big boy, you don't realise until you're on the pitch.
"He's probably nearly the biggest player on the pitch, so it probably didn't help his cause did it? Putting me to shame with my mere height and weight.
"It was a weird incident. You never really see it. They're just trying to eradicate any contact with the head, and it's obviously an important issue to get right, but it's probably more so for the high tackles or dangerous clearouts.
"It's a tough one to know, so you just have to trust the higher powers and refs and citing commissioners to do their job to the best they can, and make the best call they can."
While Keenan failed his HIA, he says he hasn't had any concussive symptoms since, and has a clear memory of both the game and the Grand Slam celebrations.
"I remember it all. It was a good whack but I still knew exactly where I was, what the score was, everything about the game. So it was a pretty close call, I just failed the HIA.
"I think with the independent doctor, I was a small bit down on one of the tests so between that and the actual video evidence, you just have to trust the advice of the doctors.
"I was obviously mad keen to get back out there and very disappointed not to be able to because I certainly don't like watching the games from the sideline. Jeez, the stress levels and the anxiety, oh God, I'm not used to it and I don't want to get used to it.
"But thankfully, the lads stepped up and were brilliant. Jimmy [O'Brien] did a great job and the whole 1 to 23 were brilliant," added Keenan, who says he is on track to be available for Leinster's Heineken Champions Cup last-16 tie with Ulster at the Aviva Stadium on 1 April.
To cap off a first Six Nations title for the 26-year-old, he was also nominated for Player of the Championship.
Keenan, who scored two tries and carried for the most metres [562] in the championship, was nominated alongside team-mates Caelan Doris and Mack Hansen, as well as French trio Antoine Dupont, Thomas Ramos and Damian Penaud, with the winner to be announced on Friday.
"It's a bit of a nice honour, I suppose, but I think you could have picked anyone of the 1-15 or more of the lads who have played for Ireland," he added.
"It's definitely been a whole squad effort and there's been unbelievable standout performers for the team. It could be anyone.
"It's been brilliant, we've had an enjoyable few days. Saturday was incredibly special, it's a dream winning a Grand Slam in the Aviva in front of family and friends and that incredible support. We had a good night Saturday and a great day with family on Sunday as well, so it's been an enjoyable few days."
Listen to the RTÉ Rugby podcast on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Watch Wales v Ireland in the TikTok Women's Six Nations on Saturday from 2.15pm live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1's Saturday Sport
Watch Munster v Glasgow (5.15pm) and Ulster v Vodacom Bulls (7.35pm) in the BKT United Rugby Championship on Saturday live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player
