"Espece de brute" - The French and Irish Twitter reaction to O'Brien punch

Twitter erupted yesterday after Ireland flanker Sean O’Brien appeared to strike France’s Pascal Pape during Ireland’s victory over les Bleus. 

It seems likely that the Tullow Tank will be suspended but Ireland nervously await the blow from the gavel as they hope to have the influential flanker for their quarter-final clash against Argentina.

As usual, Twitter had its say and the French reaction was, well, to be expected.

This may be a tad excessive. Just a tad.

@SeanOBrien1987 hey man you're a jerk! http://t.co/C0DvFchWWl #cheapshot

— Jordan Mathias (@jammathias) October 11, 2015

Which translates to gross species.

Some people felt Pape went down a bit too easily (They may have been eating their words as they watched Robert Lewandowski for Poland later that night however).

@SeanOBrien1987

Open slap... not a closed fist.!

French player dropped like he'd been hit by a wrecking ball.

Move along.

— Theo Triangle (@theotriangle) October 12, 2015

Others pointed out that O’Brien may actually have been saving Pape from a very painful fate. Fair play Sean!

@ClonesCyclone @jamieheaslip @seanobrien @ste_costelloe @SeanOBrien1987 So were Sean & me only 2 who saw that wasp on the French guys shirt

— Mike O (@Ms1000O) October 12, 2015

Personally, we think @Wrighty hit the nail on the head. Despicable antics from Pape.

BREAKING: @pascalpape cited for stomaching @SeanOBrien1987 fist. Entry level ban is life but Irish asking for longer

— Wrighty (@neilwrightlegal) October 12, 2015

We nervously await the decision from the citing commissioner.