Cardiff: Ireland fly-half Jonny Sexton was passed fit on Friday to start against Argentina in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final in Cardiff, giving the Six Nations champions some relief after an injury-plagued build-up to the game.
Missing the injured Paul O’Connell, Peter O’Mahony and Jared Payne as well as suspended flanker Sean O’Brien, the Irish have been easing Sexton along this week after he was helped off with a groin injury early in the win over France last weekend.
Europe’s premier No. 10 was included in the line-up announced by coach Joe Schmidt, although Sexton is unlikely to be fully fit for Sunday’s game — judging by comments from Ireland team management during the week.
With O’Connell out, Jamie Heaslip took over as captain and Iain Henderson — widely regarded as the natural second-row heir to O’Connell — came in at lock. Flankers Jordi Murphy and Chris Henry replaced O’Mahony and O’Brien, who missed out after being banned for striking France lock Pascal Pape on Sunday.
O’Brien will be available should Ireland advance to their first ever World Cup semi-final.
Cian Healy kept his place ahead of emerging prop Jack McGrath in an unchanged front row from the France game.
The Irish are regarded as the leading European contenders this year after winning the last two Six Nations titles.
