Ireland scrum coach Greg Feek has admitted his side are willing to risk Johnny Sexton for Monday's quarter-final against Argentina even if the Leinster No. 10 is not fully fit.
Sexton limped off in the 25th minute of his side's 24-9 victory against France with a groin injury and wasreplaced by Ian Madigan.
Ireland, however, will do all they can to get Sexton fit and firing. 'Johnny did about three and a half kilometres of running today so that's a positive,' former All Black Feek said yesterday.
'We're quietly confident and we'll see how he goes. But here it's do-or-die type stuff, so there might be some allowances around a few things -especially with our medical staff and strength and conditioners, they've got a good feel on things.'
Ireland's back-row resources have also been hit by injuries and suspension for Monday's meeting with Argentina, but Jordi Murphy is hoping to fill the void if called upon.
Munster flanker Peter O'Mahony was ruled out with a knee ligament injury earlier this week while star openside Sean O'Brien will sit out the match after receiving a one-week ban for striking France lock Pascal Pape.
Of the back-row triumvirate that battered Les Bleus into submission, only Jamie Heaslip remains.
The likes of Murphy, Iain Henderson and Chris Henry are in line to fill the vacant slots at the Millennium Stadium.
Murphy, born in Barcelona and a fluent Spanish speaker, moved to Dublin with his parents at the age of eight. The Leinster flanker, 24, is hoping his line-out ability will get him the nod.
'I've worked very hard on my lineout in the last few months,' said Murphy. 'I think it's one of the things that I would have tried to emulate Peter (O'Mahony) on. I've been trying to learn from him and if I get a go, hopefully I'll be able to do it justice.'
