O'Driscoll ruled out for up to four weeks

Brian O'Driscoll will be out of action for three-four weeks after an X-ray confirmed a sinus fracture and deep laceration under his right eye, sustained in last night's World Cup warm-up against Bayonne.

He will not need surgery, but will need up to four weeks to recover from the injury, after he was punched by lock Mikaera Tewhata during the second half of Ireland’s 42-6 win over Bayonne in France.

O'Driscoll has now been ruled out of the warm-up game against Italy next week and the first Rugby World Cup Pool game against Namibia.

It was thought O'Driscoll may have broken his cheekbone after being struck by lock Tewhata.

O'Driscoll was taken to hospital after leaving the field last night. Today’s news will be of major relief to coach Eddie O’Sullivan, who had admitted he was “genuinely worried”.

Losing O’Driscoll for the World Cup would have been a major blow for Ireland. The Leinster back is rated as one of the best centres in the world as well as his country’s most influential player.

It would also have meant more bad luck for O’Driscoll following his unhappy tour with the Lions two years ago.

O’Driscoll was made captain for the Test series against New Zealand but had a shoulder dislocated in the opening 90 seconds of the first Test.

Further good news for Ireland is that the shoulder injury sustained by prop Denis Leamy last night is not considered serious.

Ireland won a physical encounter, which saw five players yellow-carded, thanks largely to a hat-trick of tries from Denis Hickie and two from Paul O’Connell.