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O'Driscoll out of Irish Cup opener

  • Story Highlights
  • Irish captain Brian O'Driscoll will miss their opening World Cup match
  • He has a fractured sinus after being punched in a warm-up game
  • Frederic Michalak recalled to start at flyhalf by France for England game
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London, England (Reuters) -- Captain Brian O'Driscoll will miss Ireland's opening match of the World Cup next month after suffering a fractured sinus during a warm-up match in France, the Irish Rugby Union said on Friday.

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O'Driscoll was punched in the face after an hour of a rugged encounter.

The 28-year-old center was taken to hospital for X-rays with a suspected broken right cheekbone after receiving a punch an hour into the 42-6 victory over Bayonne on Thursday, but medical staff said the injury was not as bad as first feared.

"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," the Irish Rugby Union said in a statement.

"This is not as serious as initially feared and the injury will not require any surgery.

"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 week and the first Rugby World Cup pool game against Namibia."

The setback comes after outside back Shane Horgan was diagnosed with a knee ligament strain last week following a scan after Ireland's 31-21 loss against Scotland on Saturday.

Horgan is only expected to be fit enough to make the second pool game against Georgia.

Denis Hickie scored three tries and Paul O'Connell two against Bayonne in a bad-tempered match in which five yellow cards were dished out.

Flanker Denis Leamy and flyhalf Paddy Wallace also picked up minor injuries.

An Irish Rugby Union spokesman said the French Rugby Federation had indicated it would investigate what took place.

"We are fully supportive of their undertaking to investigate it," the spokesman said.

Ireland have been drawn in Pool D at the September 7-October 20 tournament, with hosts France, Argentina, Georgia and Namibia.

They open their campaign against Namibia in Bordeaux on September 9. They will play Georgia, also in Bordeaux, on September 15.

Meanehile flyhalf Frederic Michalak will start for France for the first time in 16 months against England in a World Cup warm-up on Saturday in Marseille.

Michalak, who had been sidelined by a series of knee injuries, came on as a late substitute in France's 21-15 over England last Saturday at Twickenham.

Coach Bernard Laporte had made eight changes from the team who started at Twickenham, notably bringing in Jean-Baptiste Elissalde at scrumhalf and Imanol Harinordoquy at number eight.

Lock Fabien Pelous will win his 112th cap, breaking Philippe Sella's national record.

George Chuter has withdrawn from the England side to play France in Marseille on Saturday with a knee strain and will be replaced by Mark Regan, the Rugby Football Union said on Friday.

Regan, 35, has become England's first-choice hooker after coming out of a three-year retirement for the summer tour to South Africa. Lee Mears retains his place on the bench.

Saturday night's match is England's last warm-up before the World Cup begins on Sept. 7. France play Wales in Cardiff next week. E-mail to a friend E-mail to a friend

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