Sean O’Brien to miss World Cup quarter-final

O’Brien will miss Sunday’s quarter-final against Argentina after receiving a one-week suspension.

Sean O’Brien has been hit with a one-week ban for punching France’s Pascal Pape, leaving Ireland without three pivotal pack leaders for Sunday’s World Cup quarter-final with Argentina.

Flanker O’Brien had a two-week suspension halved due to his remorse after a lengthy disciplinary hearing on Tuesday, further denting Ireland’s pack after injuries to Paul O’Connell and Peter O’Mahony.