Could’ve been worse.
We found out earlier that Paul O’Connell’s international career is over and now Joe Schmidt’s side are down another crucial player.
Sean O’Brien had his (incredibly long) hearing today after being cited for an off-the-ball incident with France’s Pascal Pape during the clash in the Millennium Stadium on Sunday.
The verdict is in and O’Brien has been banned for one week, which was reduced from two weeks because of his previous disciplinary record.
He won’t face Argentina then, but fingers crossed it won’t be the last we’ll have seen of the Tullow Tank in this tournament.
You can read the statement from the hearing in full below.
Seán O’Brien (Ireland) has been suspended for one week for striking contrary to Law 10.4(a).
Following a review of available camera angles, O’Brien was cited by independent Citing Commissioner Dougie Hunter (Scotland) under Law 10.4(a) for striking with the hand, arm or fist during the Rugby World Cup 2015 Pool D match against France at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, on 11 October.
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 contrary to Law 10.4(a).
Willis conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles and additional evidence from the player and submissions from his legal representative.
With respect to the sanction, the Judicial Officer deemed the act of foul play merited a low-end entry point of two weeks. 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.
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.
The player has 48 hours in which to appeal from receipt of the written decision.
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