Star Irish flanker Sean O’Brien will miss Sunday’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Argentina after being suspended for a week on Tuesday.
The 26-year-old has been punished for punching France lock Pascal Pape in the opening seconds of Ireland’s 24-9 victory over the French last Sunday.
“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.
“In the context of the Rugby World Cup tournament a week equates to one match.
“The suspension takes effect immediately, therefore O’Brien is suspended for Ireland’s quarter-final match against Argentina on Sunday, 18 October, 2015. He is free to resume playing on 19 October, 2015.”