WING Bryce Heem admits there was not much he could have done to avoid the first red card of his professional career.

The 28-year-old was given his marching orders in Warriors’ thrilling 40-33 Aviva Premiership defeat at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena at the end of March.

Heem raced on to a high kick downfield, collided with Wasps’ Willie Le Roux, who was already in the air, and was dismissed by referee Luke Pearce.

Reflecting on the incident, which saw Heem banned for two matches, the wing said: “I think the only way to avoid it was not to have chased the ball.

“It was just unfortunate and I think it was bad timing on my part.

“I didn’t see Willie jump in the air and Alapati (Leiua) ran a good line which forced me to change my line and that was the result.

“It was very unfortunate and I was very upset with it.

"It was probably the turning point in the game for us because I think we could have beaten Wasps that day.”

Director of rugby Gary Gold was keen for fly-half Ryan Mills to put Warriors into the right areas of the field and it often involved the wingers chasing his kicks.

And New Zealand-born Heem, who has just completed his second season at Sixways, says he doesn’t think history will repeat itself.

“Being aware of possible player in the air is definitely something you have to be conscious of (when chasing kicks),” said Heem.

“If you went back and looked at my kick-chase clips I am pretty aware of my surroundings.

“That was just one of the unfortunate times when my timing wasn’t right.

“I like to think I am pretty aware of what’s going on.

"That was the first red card for me which I think helped me at the hearing.”