Mike Brown's worst fears have been realised with his Harlequins career brought to an abrupt end by a six-week ban.
Quins' longest-serving player was hoping to go out in a blaze of play-off glory before he joins Newcastle this summer.
Instead he will not add to his 351 appearances after paying the price for being sent off for stamping on the face of Wasps' Tommy Taylor.
An RFU disciplinary panel accepted the former England fullback's action had not been deliberate - despite referee Wayne Barnes labelling it "highly reckless foul play" during Sunday's Premiership clash.
They even cut his punishment in half from the 'top end' starting point of 12 weeks, due to it being his first ever red card.
But he still misses Quins' final four league games against Leicester, Bath, Sale and Newcastle plus the two play-off games they will have if they maintain their top-four position.
© Alex SpinkBrown (far right) brings his boot down onto Taylor's head during last Sunday's game
The panel said it reviewed "extensive" video footage and listened to the explanation given by Brown, who does have the right of appeal.
"The player has an unblemished disciplinary record over a long and illustrious career," said the panel in a statement.
"He accepted the charge at the earliest opportunity and impressed the panel with his honesty and obvious contrition throughout the hearing. The panel had no hesitation in allowing the maximum mitigation of 50 per cent."
© AFPBrown under a high ball during his 72-cap England career
None of which is likely to be any consolation to Brown, who was already raging over the way Quins told him in a four-minute meeting that he was being released this summer after a lifetime of service to the Londoners.
England hooker Tom Dunn was also handed a season-ending ban, in his case a four-week suspension for his red card tackle playing for Bath against Bristol.
The British and Irish Lions have confirmed that those players sent a 'save the date' email who were not selected for the 37-man squad, are all on Warren Gatland's standby list.
These include Manu Tuilagi, Kyle Sinckler, Ben Spencer, Marcus Smith and Danny Care.