LONDON – Ireland Coach Joe Schmidt has shaken off mid-week media gossip and named star fly half Johnny Sexton in his starting lineup to play Argentina on Sunday evening.
After being replaced in the 25th minute of their win against France, the Irish fans and Irish media feared the worst. However he passed a fitness test and will line up at 10 for Ireland’s crucial quarter final clash.
Outside him, Robbie Henshaw and Keith Earls will take their places in the midfield. Meanwhile up front, Rory Best will become Ireland’s most capped hooker at a Rugby World Cup and will face up alongside Cian Healy and Mike Ross.
In total, there are three changes to the pack that bullied the French with Iain Henderson and Jordi Murphy coming in for the injured Paul O’Connell and the suspended Sean O’Brian respectively.
Ireland team to play Argentina
1 C Healy
2 R Best
3 M Ross
4 D Toner
5 I Henderson
6 J Murphy
7 C Henry
8 J Heaslip
9 C Murray
10 J Sexton
11 D Kearney
12 R Henshaw
13 K Earls
14 T Bowe
15 R Kearney
Reserves
16 R Strauss 17 J McGrath 18 N White 19 D Ryan 20 R Ruddock 21 E Reddan 22 I Madigan 23 L Fitzgerald.
Keep up with all the action from the knockout stages of the 2015 Rugby World Cup with the Rugby RightNow app. Rugby RightNow brings all of rugby’s latest news and team and player social media platforms all together at the touch of your fingertips. Available to download now in the App Store or visit online at www.rugbyrightnow.com.
