Sexton in contention for Argentina clash

Jonathan Sexton remains in with a chance of handing Ireland a significant boost by shaking off a groin injury to face Argentina in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals.

The influential fly-half completed a light workout on Wednesday, having been hurt in last weekend's Pool D decider against France, but will need to step up his workload if he is to take the field at the Millennium Stadium on Sunday.

Having lost skipper Paul O'Connell, Jared Payne and Peter O'Mahony to injuries, in addition to Sean O'Brien through suspension, Ireland will be desperate for Sexton to be involved as they aim to reach the last four.

Scrum coach Greg Feek said: "Johnny did about a three-and-a-half kilometre run and he was reasonably confident doing that, so we will see how he goes [in training] on Friday.

"Here it's do-or-die type stuff, so there might be some allowances around a few things, especially with our medical staff and strength and conditioners, they've got a good feel on things."

Feek also provided an update on Keith Earls, who sat out Wednesday's training session having described the meeting with France as "the most physical game I've ever played in my life."

"Keith is being looked after a bit," confirmed Feek. "It's not too bad and, again, we will see how he gets on on Friday.

"He's just a bit battered. It's just at this stage we want to do the best thing so we can have everyone fit and available."

The loss of O'Connell remains a major talking point, with the vastly experienced second row's international career now over as a result of the hamstring injury he sustained at the end of the first half against France.

Donnacha Ryan, a long-time team-mate of O'Connell for club and country, said: "It was devastating to see from up in the stands. You could see from his face that he was in some pain and it's very, very sad.

"I have played with him and trained with him every day of the week for a long time and from my point of view it is so sad to have seen him being taken out the back in a wheelchair.

"He is a fantastic player and the best in the world. Whenever I played alongside him, I tried to be as good as he was. He will be sorely missed. He's a great mate."