Ireland still pondering appeal of Sean O’Brien’s one-game ban

Ireland are still weighing up whether to appeal Sean O’Brien’s one-match ban ahead of this Sunday’s World Cup quarter-final against Argentina.

O’Brien received the suspension on Tuesday night after seven-hour hearing in London, having been indicted for striking France’s Pascal Pape in the opening minute of last Sunday’s game at the Millennium Stadium.

The Ireland management yesterday received the written explanation of the verdict delivered by independent judicial officer Terry Willis of Australia, who had reduced the ban from two weeks to one after considering factors such as contrition and previous good behaviour. They have 48 hours in which to launch an appeal, having to decide whether such a course of action risks O’Brien incurring a heavier punishment.