Full-back Evans rose to take a high ball, but stuck his foot out as he collected and his boot made contact with Thomas in the air and he was sent off.
From there Racing 92 were comfortable winners as they moved top of Pool 4 thanks to tries from Thomas (2), Teddy Baubigny, a penalty try, Yoan Tanga-Mangene and Henry Chavancy.
Ospreys crossed through Hanno Dirksen, Ma’afu Fia and Aled Davies.
Captain Dan Lydiate said: “The red card was never intentional, but player welfare is paramount.”
Ospreys’ task was made all the more difficult by yellow cards to Scott Williams and Aled Davies and Ospreys forwards coach Carl Hogg said: “It makes it very difficult when you get a red card in the first minute and you have to play against one of the best teams in Europe with 14 and then 13 players, but the boys showed plenty of character.
This story is from the December 8 2019 edition of The Rugby Paper.
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This story is from the December 8 2019 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
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