O’Brien cited for striking Pape
Ireland suffered another blow on Monday as Sean O'Brien was cited for striking France's Pascal Pape.
Sean O'Brien has been cited for lashing out at Pascal Pape in Ireland's Rugby World Cup win over France and will discover his fate on Tuesday.
France coach Philippe Saint-Andre slammed television match official (TMO) Graham Hughes after O'Brien was not punished despite appearing to punch Pape in the chest off the ball in the opening minute of Ireland's 24-9 victory in Cardiff.
O'Brien shone as Ireland went on to win 24-9 at the Millennium Stadium on Sunday to win Pool D and set up a last-eight encounter with Argentina back in Cardiff on Sunday.
Saint-Andre described the manner in which O'Brien lashed out as "an assault" and the influential Ireland star could now pay the price, as he faces a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday.
Argentina's Marcelo Bosch has also been cited for a dangerous tackle during his side's victory over Namibia in Leicester on Sunday and will discover his fate on Tuesday.
If O'Brien is suspended that will serve us another major setback for Ireland, who added Rhys Ruddock to their squad on Monday after Peter O'Mahony was ruled out of the tournament with a knee injury.
Key duo Paul O'Connell and Jonathan Sexton remain under observation after also suffering injuries against France.