Marshall doubtful for second Pumas test

Luke Marshall is unlikely to play in the second test against Argentina after the Ulster man picked up another head injury in the opening 29-17 win over the Pumas on Saturday.

Ireland team manager Mick Kearney said there was no evidence of concussion, but that the 23-year old would be monitored closely given his history of such injuries.

The centre, who won his sixth cap in Saturday’s win in Resistencia, suffered a bang to the head when making a tackle and he was taken off before the hour mark.

Kearney, indicating doubts also about the half-backs Conor Murray and Jonathan Sexton, said Marshall, who has suffered several head injuries in recent years would be closely monitored.

“No formal evidence of concussion, but given his history we will take every precaution necessary and will be assessed on a daily basis.

“He will be assessed day by day and we’ll just have to wait and see. But there was no concussion, all of the tests are clear post-game.

“He did suffer a number of concussions in a relatively short period of time and that’s why we need to be careful.

“He got one earlier this year as well, so there would be a concern and that’s why we are taking every precaution possible.

“It is good that his testing was normal, both post-match and afterwards,” he said.

Conor Murray suffered a dead leg and may not be risked given that the experienced Eoin Reddan and Saturday’s debutant Kieran Marmion are both available.

Jonathan Sexton suffered from cramp to the back of one his knees but is recovering well and is expected to train fully this week.

“It’s great at this stage that we effectively have everyone available apart from Conor who would be the main doubt so we’ll just see as the week goes on ,” added Kearney at the team hotel in Buenos Aires yesterday.

The squad will move north again this evening for Saturday’s clash in Tucuman and it will be another step back in time in terms of facilities for the Six Nations champions.

“The changing area in Tucuman is like something out of a badly rundown club from the 1970s, there are 11 or 12 shower heads and barely enough room to put everyone into the changing room. It’s very, very poor.

“It will be a little bit of a challenge, but the pitch is a lot better than Saturday’s. Tucuman is in the heartland of Argentinian rugby so I’d expect a good crowd, very passionate.

“Argentina had seven new caps at the weekend, a lot of local players and that would bring them on massively but I’d expect that we’ll be better come next weekend as well,” added the Ireland team manager.