When people talk about banter, I think about Chelsea and Tim Harrison’s excellent column in these pages.

But there is no doubt that the word also has other connotations – “it was just banter” has been a way of downplaying comments which were downright offensive.

That was how former Sky presenter Richard Keys described the sexist comments about a female linesman he made off-air that saw him and Andy Gray sacked; it’s how former Australia cricket captain Michael Clarke justified telling England number11 to get ready for a “f****** broken arm”; while “friendly text message banter” was how Malky Mackay tried to defend the racist and homophobic messages that saw his promising managerial reputation shattered at Cardiff.

So when Wales coach Warren Gatland used the word to try to end the controversy over England’s Joe Marler calling Samson Lee “gypsy boy” during Saturday’s clash at Twickenham it was hardly the most convincing of defences.

Despite England’s thrilling victory it was not the finest day for Harlequins prop Marler, who was also cited for allegedly striking Wales prop Rob Evans early in the game.

Travelling community campaigner Shay Clipson made a valid comparison when asking how the RFU would view a derogatory remark about a black or Asian player – there is no doubt that the book would have been thrown at the 25-year-old rather more quickly.

In his defence, Marler apologised to Lee for the remark at half-time. He knew he had overstepped the mark and England coach Eddie Jones insisted it was a sincere apology.

It was interesting to read former England captain Will Carling’s comments. While calling it a “silly mistake” and expecting Marler to be banned if his comments are categorised as racism, he has also written on Twitter that he does not want to see Marler “scapegoated on the altar of PC’ism”.

Carling said: “I’ve heard far worse on pitches, been called far worse myself, which I was genuinely upset about.”

That may be true but the world has moved on since Carling’s playing days and with cameras and microphones everywhere, what may be intended as a cheap shot at an opponent can cause offence entire communities.

Marler’s apology has work in his favour, but this must be a warning to him and any other sportsman that must risk the consequences if they don’t put all banter aside on the pitch.