Contrite Sean O’Brien to miss clash with Argentina

Ireland’s hopes of reaching a first World Cup semi-final received another hammer blow last night as Sean O’Brien received a one-week ban that will see him miss Sunday’s quarter-final with Argentina.

After losing Paul O’Connell and Peter O’Mahony and with doubts remaining over Johnny Sexton’s fitness, which could mean a last-minute decision on the fly-half’s availability, a disciplinary suspension was the last thing head coach Joe Schmidt needed to disrupt preparations for the most important match of his Ireland career.

Yet, he will have to plan without O’Brien, a tireless man-of-the-match against France last Sunday in Cardiff in the 24-9 victory that secured top spot in Pool D. The flanker yesterday received a one-week ban after admitting to independent judicial officer Terry Willis of Australia he had committed an act of foul play when he struck France lock Pascal Pape in the stomach in the opening minute at the Millennium Stadium, contrary to Law 10.4(a).

It was deemed the act of foul play merited a low-end entry point of two weeks, but Willis considered there were no aggravating factors and took into mitigation factors that included O’Brien’s conduct prior to and at the hearing, his remorse, good character and clean disciplinary record, and he reduced the suspension to one week.

He is free to resume playing on October 19, but has 48 hours in which to appeal. If he accepts the punishment, the ‘Tullow Tank’ would be available for a potential semi-final clash at Twickenham the following weekend against the winners of this Saturday’s Australia v Scotland quarter-final.

Ireland must first get past the Pumas who also got bad news yesterday as centre Marcelo Bosch will miss the quarter-final after being suspended for one week for a dangerous tackle.

French referee Jerome Garces will officiate Sunday’s clash. There was optimism in the Irish camp yesterday Sexton was improving well after going off 25 minutes into the France game with an adductor strain in his right side on his kicking leg.

“Johnny has a slight adductor strain, there has been some improvement,” defence coach Les Kiss said yesterday. “Hopefully, we’ll see a little bit more tomorrow and that will give us a clearer picture. At this stage it’s one of those things where you’re hoping you see initial improvement and then more improvement the next day.”

With Ireland in the knockout phases, the question remains as to how fit Sexton must be to be thrown into the fray.

“Each day will give us some more information,” Kiss said. “It’s a good question, because that’s the one we’ll face. Where that medical information comes back to us, what information Johnny gives us, that’ll give us the clues to it. Knockout maybe changes the shape of your thinking, perhaps, but we have to be pragmatic about what works. It will probably come down to the last minute when we make that decision.”

Meanwhile Leinster flanker Rhys Ruddock, who replaced Peter O’Mahony in Ireland’s ranks, will go straight into contention to face Argentina. Less than four months ago Ruddock was ruled out of Ireland’s campaign with a broken arm; now the 24-year-old could be in line to win just his sixth cap and make his World Cup debut.

“I’ve had opportunities like this before, I was called up from the U20s World Cup aged 19 and told to put on a Test jersey,” said Ruddock, referencing his debut against Australia in 2010.

“I really enjoyed that opportunity, and the same in the autumn just gone. You play to play at the top level, so I’m looking forward to it and I’m ready. I feel good, I feel strong and in a good place.”