Ireland’s worst Rugby World Cup fears were realised on Tuesday when star Irish flanker Sean O’Brien was suspended soon after captain Paul O’Connell was ruled out of the tournament though injury.
O’Brien will miss Sunday’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Argentina after being suspended for a week.
His suspension deals another blow to Ireland’s severely depleted ranks having lost lock O’Connell and another outstanding flanker Peter O’Mahony to injuries suffered in the brutal 24-9 victory over France on Sunday.
There are also doubts over playmaker Jonny Sexton, who is struggling with a groin injury which forced him off in the first-half of the pool game which saw the Irish seal top spot and avoid a last eight meeting with defending champions New Zealand.
The 28-year-old O’Brien has been punished for punching France lock Pascal Pape in the opening seconds of the French match.
“O’Brien admitted committing an act of foul play and therefore the independent Judicial Officer Terry Willis (Australia) upheld the citing on the basis that the player had committed an act of foul play,” read the statement from the organisers.
If Ireland beat Los Pumas, O’Brien would therefore be available for a semi-final against either Australia or Scotland.
O’Brien – who was named man of the match – could have faced a two-week suspension but the adjudicating officer found that there were factors in O’Brien’s favour.
“With respect to the sanction, the Judicial Officer deemed the act of foul play merited a low-end entry point of two weeks,” read the statement.
“The Judicial Officer considered that there were no aggravating factors. The Judicial Officer took into account compelling mitigating factors including O’Brien’s conduct prior to and at the hearing, his remorse, good character and clean disciplinary record, and reduced the suspension to a period of one week.”
Pape has history with the Irish team having served a 10-week ban earlier in the year for kneeing Irish No.8 Jamie Heaslip in the back, fracturing three vertebrae.
O’Brien’s unavailability will stretch Irish playing resources even further as Rhys Ruddock arrived to replace the injured O’Mahony and lock Mike McCarthy has been called up to replace iconic skipper O’Connell.
O’Connell had as expected been ruled out earlier on Tuesday with a hamstring injury which has also brought down the curtain on his glittering 108-Test match career.
The Irish Rugby Football Union paid tribute to the 35-year-old O’Connell as “a leader, a warrior, a gentleman” as they announced that he would undergo surgery this week.
As of yet no replacement has been called up for centre Jared Payne, who was ruled out of the tournament last Saturday with a foot injury.
Taylorman
Guest
One week or five, who cares when that becomes the reason Ireland go out. Theyve now lost a key tight, loose and have fragile sexton, who has always been fragile, more so now. Argie will take the right advantage there im sure.
Dave
Guest
Exactly, imagine the lynch mob if it was the GOAT
NickSA
Guest
He kneed another player. Regardless if the other player was holding him, he should have been cited. Pocock to me seems like an outstanding young man but what he did deserved him to get cited.
Iwillnotstandby
Guest
Rubbish. Barely any velocity in it at all. Shouldn't have done it but there wasn't a lot off effort put into it.
Iwillnotstandby
Guest
I'm normally a big fan of the rule of law but. 1. That was no power punch. It was barely a swinging arm. 2. Given what pape did to heaslip I'm ok with a a little love going his way.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Good Lord! Ya can't say that in these parts! Purify yourself Common Sense, come on, you can do it - repeat after me:
NickSA
Guest
Pocock should also be out of the world cup, blatant knee.
NickSA
Guest
I actually can't believe the man got one week for blatantly assaulting an opposing player. Just shows the double standards of the IRB.
TheCelt
Guest
He is. And this spud looks forward to the semi when we mash the Aussies!
TheCelt
Guest
They are real! And I am one. I'd sue but I'm a little short!
tsuru
Guest
Settle petal - Tuilagi got 2 weeks after appeal. But I agree that tier 1 nations do seem to be getting preferential treatment.
John
Guest
POCOCK did nothing .. Take off your green monicle and open their other eye mate...
JJ
Guest
In a shameless and desparate attempt by WR and certain elements to help out the Irish who are staring at defeat they have suspended Marcelo Bosch for one week too... The inconsistencies in this World Cup are just breath taking... First it is outrageous man of the match awards,Tuilagi and others getting ridiculous bans,Pocock and Hooper getting away virtually scott free and now to even out the scales Bosch is sanctioned
Peter Wheatley
Guest
I've not been able to find a Youtube clip of the Ford/Gray offence but it was reported as a double lift spear tackle. If true then three weeks is soft.
Peter Wheatley
Guest
I'm an Aussie/Irishman. If Tuilagi deserved five weeks then so did Pocock, and O'Brien deserved TEN. It definitely looks like a two-tiered judicial system to me!
PeterK
Roar Guru
for good reason
Common Sense
Guest
And David Pocock gets nothing.
Hokonui27
Guest
The wheel of fortune disciplinary system keeps spinning........give it a whirl harry and see what this blokes penalty is.......wait......wait.....oh bad luck! You've got 4 weeks stand down.......and a $6000 fine for calling us a nob!
apelu
Guest
He got one match for a deliberate punch? Unbelievable, given Kane Thompson of Samoa was banned for 2 matches for a push on a Barbarian player during a pre-RWC match!
John
Guest
How about - the Grubby Spud deserved a 3 match ban.. haha Harden up princesses!! .O`brien is lucky to get one week..