O'Driscoll relief for Ireland

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O'Driscoll suffered a fractured sinus after being punched in the face in a warm-up game last night and will definitely miss the tournament opener against Namibia.

A statement from the Irish Rugby Football Union read: "This is not as serious as initially feared and the injury will not require any surgery."

Ireland had been worried their talisman would miss the whole event in France but X-rays have revealed the injury not to be as bad as first feared.

It was thought O'Driscoll may have broken his cheekbone after being struck by lock Mikaera Tewhata during the second half of Ireland's 42-6 win over Bayonne in France.

The 28-year-old was taken to hospital after leaving the field last night but the news will be of major relief to coach Eddie O'Sullivan, who had admitted he was "genuinely worried".

"Following an X-ray and scan of Brian O'Driscoll's injury, it has been confirmed that he has sustained a fracture to his sinus and a deep laceration under his right eye," continued the statement.

"The recovery period for the injury is three to four weeks, which will rule O'Driscoll out of the warm-up game against Italy next Friday (August 24) and Ireland's first Rugby World Cup pool game against Namibia (September 9)."

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