Paddy Jackson has been promoted to the Ireland bench for tomorrow's crunch Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Argentina.
Post-training yesterday Johnny Sexton tightened up and although scans earlier in the week were normal a further scan yesterday afternoon revealed a very minor adductor strain. It was therefore felt that it was better to withdraw him from the game rather than risk further injury. Ian Madigan will start at outhalf and Jackson is included on the bench.
Meanwhile, former Ulster scrumahlf Isaac Boss has been brought in to the squad as further scrumhalf cover in place of Jared Payne. With Madigan now starting tomorrow's match, it's ideal for him to focus fully on the outhalf position. The centre position vacated by Payne is well covered by Robbie Henshaw, Keith Earls, Darren Cave and Luke Fitzgerald.
IRELAND team to play Argentina - 18.10.15:
15. Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
14. Tommy Bowe (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
13. Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster)
12. Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht)
11. Dave Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster)
10. Ian Madigan (Blackrock/Leinster)
9. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)
8. Jamie Heaslip (Dublin University/Leinster) captain
7. Chris Henry (Malone/Ulster)
6. Jordi Murphy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
5. Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
4. Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster)
3. Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)
2. Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster)
1. Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)
Replacements:
16. Richardt Strauss (Old Wesley/Leinster)
17. Jack McGrath (St. Mary's/Leinster)
18. Nathan White (Connacht)
19. Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)
20. Rhys Ruddock (St. Mary's/Leinster)
21. Eoin Reddan (Old Crescent/Leinster)
22. Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster)
23. Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock/Leinster)
Post-training yesterday Johnny Sexton tightened up and although scans earlier in the week were normal a further scan yesterday afternoon revealed a very minor adductor strain. It was therefore felt that it was better to withdraw him from the game rather than risk further injury. Ian Madigan will start at outhalf and Jackson is included on the bench.
Meanwhile, former Ulster scrumahlf Isaac Boss has been brought in to the squad as further scrumhalf cover in place of Jared Payne. With Madigan now starting tomorrow's match, it's ideal for him to focus fully on the outhalf position. The centre position vacated by Payne is well covered by Robbie Henshaw, Keith Earls, Darren Cave and Luke Fitzgerald.
IRELAND team to play Argentina - 18.10.15:
15. Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
14. Tommy Bowe (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
13. Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster)
12. Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht)
11. Dave Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster)
10. Ian Madigan (Blackrock/Leinster)
9. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)
8. Jamie Heaslip (Dublin University/Leinster) captain
7. Chris Henry (Malone/Ulster)
6. Jordi Murphy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
5. Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
4. Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster)
3. Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)
2. Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster)
1. Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)
Replacements:
16. Richardt Strauss (Old Wesley/Leinster)
17. Jack McGrath (St. Mary's/Leinster)
18. Nathan White (Connacht)
19. Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)
20. Rhys Ruddock (St. Mary's/Leinster)
21. Eoin Reddan (Old Crescent/Leinster)
22. Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster)
23. Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock/Leinster)