The news that Sean O'Brien would be handed a one match ban for his punch on Pascal Pape was greeted with mixed emotions in Ireland.
It was certainly felt that there had to be some form of punishment, and O'Brien's previous good record came into play of course, but given that he would have been a key figure in a tough quarter-final against Argentina, it was a tough blow to take.
However, outside Ireland, there was a view that the action had been deliberate on O'Brien's part and that deserved the maximum punishment.
With the news that Pape's statement claimed he "felt a violent pain in the area where he had been beaten" and that he had sustained "an injury with ongoing disabilities" as a result, Twitter went into a bit of a meltdown as the Irish fans (and some non-Irish fans) debated whether the punishment handed down was fair.
So Gray and Ford get banned for three weeks over a tackle?Yet Sean O'Brien punches someone and gets a week only person with intent gets off
— RBC (@RBCABC) October 15, 2015
@ColmODonoghue agreed.... It's very selective patriotism. Pape is a douche therefore O'Brien must be innocent
— Gerry Greene (@gg_gerry) October 15, 2015
Because Pape managed to play on, does that mean O'Brien should get less of a ban?? Total bullshit!!
— Haydn Davies (@haydn_davies) October 15, 2015
Not condoning what O'Brien did but saying Papè couldn't train two days later because of it?! https://t.co/5NY5aNwHqM
— Peter McNamara (@PeterMcNamara_) October 14, 2015
Utter disgrace. Was a punch clear and simple should have been maximum ban. But Irish, so foul play allowed #disgrace https://t.co/xxMWTbnEqd
— Michael Pope (@michaeljpope) October 13, 2015
@pascalpape You were "beaten" by Sean O'Brien? You do remember kneeing Heaslip in the back, right? #seanobrien #papeprat #RugbyWorldCup
— Philip O'Brien (@philipotweet) October 15, 2015
@ColmODonoghue imagine it had been Pape on O'Brien, you think there wouldn't be huge cries for a longer ban?
— Peter Jones (@Chugger) October 15, 2015
@crossy33 @Independent_ie why on earth attack Papé? O'Brien had the whole match to exact discreet revenge, it's his own fault.
— Junior (@2_five_2) October 15, 2015
Sean O'Brien's disciplinary hearing report reads *exactly* like a judge's remarks when a wealthy kid breaks the law. http://t.co/pvcPOclF7N
— luca (@gormacha) October 15, 2015
Of course, there is some more video evidence that they could have used in O'Brien's defence, had it been available at the time.
Boris Johnson gave that little kid some wallop! And to think, Sean O'Brien was cited for less. Where's the justice...?
— Patrick Appleton (@MotoPaps5) October 15, 2015
