IRFU decides against O’Driscoll appeal

The IRFU has confirmed it will not appeal the three-week suspension of Brian O'Driscoll, following his sin-binning in Rome.

After a review of the written explanation of the sanction, the IRFU and the former Ireland captain have decided to accept the punishment for stamping on Italy's Simone Favaro on March 16th.

O'Driscoll had admitted to committing an act of foul play in the 29th minute of Ireland’s 22-15 defeat in Rome but denied it warranted a red card.

However, the committee, chaired by Robert Williams of Wales, deemed it was a sending off offence, under law 10.4(b), in the mid range level which meant a suspension of five weeks, reduced to three having taken the player's "exemplary previous playing and disciplinary record" into account.

The Leinster centre will miss this weekend's match against Ulster at the RDS and the Amlin Challenge Cup quarter final away to London Wasps on Friday week.