Kidney names extended squad

PAUL O’CONNELL and Rory Best are included in Ireland’s 28-man squad ahead of Saturday’s crucial test with Argentina.

The duo sustained dead legs in the weekend defeat to New Zealand but took part in training yesterday.

Coach Declan Kidney had delayed naming his team by 48 hours until tomorrow as he monitors their fitness and awaits the outcome of Alan Quinlan’s disciplinary hearing after the Munster man was cited following the Croke Park clash.

“Both Paul and Rory are doing okay as they rehab from their dead legs and took a limited part in training today,” said Kidney.

“Alan is involved in a disciplinary hearing, so we are just trying to give as much time possible for these matters to be cleared up before we confirm the team.

“All three have been named in the squad and the fact we decided on 28 members shows how competitive the battle for places in this game is. It also allows us to cover several combinations if anybody is ruled out.

“While we would normally name our team today (Tuesday), I think the circumstances and also the importance of the game meant we needed to give ourselves that extra couple of days to consider all the options that would become available to us.”

He continued: “Nobody is doubting the challenge that faces us against another team that is above us in the IRB rankings.

“Added to the fact that both teams have something to play for in terms of those world rankings, I think that it gives this game even more of a competitive edge.”

Ireland squad versus Argentina

Backs: T Bowe (Ospreys), G Dempsey (Leinster), K Earls (Munster), L Fitzgerald (Leinster), S Horgan (Leinster), R Kearney (Leinster), G Murphy (Leicester), B O’Driscoll (Leinster), R O’Gara (Munster), T O’Leary (Munster), E Reddan (Wasps), P Wallace (Ulster).

Forwards: R Best (Ulster), T Buckley (Munster), B Casey (London Irish), T Court (Munster), S Ferris (Ulster), J Flannery (Munster), J Hayes (Munster), J Heaslip (Leinster), M Horan ( Munster), B Jackman (Leinster), S Jennings (Leinster), D O’Callaghan (Munster), P O’Connell (Munster), M O’Kelly (Leinster), A Quinlan (Munster), D Wallace (Munster).