Flyhalf Johnny Sexton has recovered in time to start against Argentina in Sunday’s quarter-final, but Ireland have had to make three enforced changes to their forward pack.

Sexton suffered an adductor injury in Ireland’s final pool game against France, but has passed a fitness test and will be back in the No 10 jersey in an unchanged backline, with Keith Earls also overcoming a minor injury concern.

However, with captain Paul O'Connell having been ruled out of the tournament due to a hamstring injury, Iain Henderson starts in the second row, while Jamie Heaslip assumes the captaincy duties.

In the loose trio, a suspension to Sean O'Brien and tournament-ending injury to Peter O'Mahony sees Chris Henry and Jordi Murphy come in on the respective flanks.

Ireland – 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Keith Earls, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Dave Kearney, 10 Johnny Sexton, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jamie Heaslip (c), 7 Chris Henry, 6 Jordi Murphy, 5 Iain Henderson, 4 Devin Toner, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Rory Best, 1 Cian Healy.
Subs: 16 Richardt Strauss, 17 Jack McGrath, 18 Nathan White, 19 Donnacha Ryan, 20 Rhys Ruddock, 21 Eoin Reddan, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Luke Fitzgerald.

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