Brian O'Driscoll punched vs Bayonne

This is the punch that nearly dashed Ireland’s hopes of inspirational leader Brian O’Driscoll taking them to the World Cup.

A cheap shot from Kiwi lock Mikaera Tewhata, in a World Cup warmup match against the French side Bayonne, caused a fractured sinus and lacerations to O’Driscoll’s face.

BOD will be out for 4 weeks, missing the first group game of the World Cup. The injury is not as bad as initially feared though, with O’Driscoll not requiring surgery.

The game was not televised, but as with all Brian O’Driscoll

controversial incidents

, amateur footage appears miraculously, and this time from the Bayonne video analyst of all people.

A little birdy tells me that the word on the street is that the French side were eye gouging in the mauls and when BOD ran in to help it’s because the Irish hooker was getting a working over, before eventually dropping to the floor.

The culprit of the suckerpunch has been banned for two matches, and since apologised for his actions, saying it’s not in his nature and would like to apologise to O’Driscoll face to face.

The final score in this ill tempered match was 42-6 to Ireland, with 5 yellow cards being issued.

Ireland are wearing blue as it’s not an official test.