Ireland delay team announcement
Ireland have delayed their team announcement for Argentina until Friday as they count the cost of their defeat by New Zealand.
Manager Paul McNaughton revealed that David Wallace and Stephen Ferris have been added to the lengthy injury list following Saturday’s 38-18 loss to the All Blacks.
Wallace and Ferris picked up Achilles and calf injuries respectively and were among a large group who missed training today.
However, the flankers are expected to be available to face the Pumas – as is captain Brian O’Driscoll, who is nursing a shoulder problem.
Gordon D’Arcy and Tommy Bowe should also be passed fit for Ireland’s final autumn international on Sunday as they continue their rehabilitation from calf strains.
“We had a few guys sitting out today’s session – David Wallace, Gordon D’Arcy, Stephen Ferris and Tommy Bowe,” said McNaughton.
“They have various knocks while some other guys, such as Brian O’Driscoll and Damien Varley, have done modified non-contact work.
“We expect Brian to be OK. He got a bruise on his AC joint, but he trained this morning, though it was not a full contact session.
“All of those players are under consideration for selection and we don’t anticipate any problem with them.
“We’ll wait until Friday to name the team because it’s a Sunday game.
“We just need more time to think and also the injuries should be clarified by then.
“We wouldn’t take a risk on any player’s fitness. You can’t send out anyone who is 90% fit and hope for the best.”
Knee injuries have already seen Rob Kearney and Luke Fitzgerald ruled out against Argentina, while Rory Best is facing up to eight weeks on the sidelines with a fractured cheekbone.
Lock Leo Cullen, prop Tony Buckley, full-back Geordan Murphy and hooker Damien Varley have been added to the squad, while back row John Muldoon and John Hayes have been released back to their provinces.
Ireland produced arguably their best performance of the year against the All Blacks, but their heroics in defence clearly took a heavy toll.
Statistics for the match show that they completed 130 tackles, compared to New Zealand’s 75.
“I don’t have any great theories on the injury count, it’s coincidental,” said McNaughton.
“It was a fairly physical game and we made as many tackles in the first half as there would be in a normal game.
“That doesn’t help the injury toll. It’s just unfortunate. We have an eight-day turnaround so we can take our time.
“We’ll train tomorrow and have a rest day on Thursday. Hopefully everyone will be fine by Friday.”
