Monday 12 October 2015 19:03, UK
Philippe Saint-Andre is furious that Sean O'Brien was not punished for his 'assault' on Pascal Pape in France's defeat by Ireland on Sunday.
Flanker O'Brien is, however, set to face retrospective action after he was cited for foul play after he appeared to strike the France lock in the opening minute of their eventual 24-9 win in Cardiff.
Ireland powered to a victory that secured a last-eight meeting with Argentina on Sunday, with O'Brien landing the official man-of-the-match award.
France will face defending champions New Zealand in Cardiff on Saturday night thanks to their heaviest defeat to Ireland since 1975, with head coach Saint-Andre insisting O'Brien should have faced disciplinary action during the match.
"It was an assault after 23 seconds of the game," said Saint-Andre. "I hope the next time the TMO will really do his job.
"Since the beginning of the competition on whatever matter is concerned, try or injury, we return to a review of the images.
"In this case they do no such thing."
Neither referee Nigel Owens nor Television Match Official (TMO) Graham Hughes picked up the incident between O'Brien and Pape in Sunday's Pool D decider but footage of the tangle quickly spread around the internet.
Ireland boss Joe Schmidt's immediate reaction following Sunday's match was to offer hope that O'Brien will not face retrospective censure for his clash with Pape. Since then Ireland have lost Peter O'Mahony to a tournament-ending injury, with captain Paul O'Connell likely to follow.
"I truly hope not," said Schmidt when asked if he feared O'Brien would receive a citing. "He was being held at the time, he swung but I don't think he was looking directly at the player but it's not for me to determine.
"It's not a closed fist. I'd be hopeful but it's not a decision for me. Hopefully it's not something that impacts on us.
"Considering the dressing room at the moment, we can ill-afford to lose another player, particularly a player of Sean's experience and standing in the group."
