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Murphy: 'Cometh the hour, cometh the man' - but an injury to Girvan Dempsey helped matters!
Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan has recalled Geordan Murphy in one of two changes to the starting line-up for Sunday's crucial World Cup clash with Argentina at Parc des Princes in Paris.
Leinster full-back Girvan Dempsey sustained a shoulder injury during Friday's 25-3 defeat to France and has lost his fitness battle.
It is a dramatic return for Murphy, who was controversially omitted from the 22 against France, as Ireland launch their last-ditch effort to qualify for the quarter-finals.
In the second change, Denis Hickie replaces Andrew Trimble on the left wing with the Ulster player paying the price for his defensive frailties against the hosts.
Trimble displaces Gavin Duffy on the bench with Hickie playing probably his last match following his decision to retire from all rugby after the World Cup.
O'Sullivan has left the hooker slot open as he waits for injury updates on Jerry Flannery (shoulder stinger) and Rory Best (dislocated thumb).
Both front rows could be available for the Pool D finale at Parc des Princes and O'Sullivan will make a final decision over who starts in the next couple of days.
O'Sullivan hopes Murphy's return will inspire Ireland as they seek the bonus-point victory by more than seven points that will enable them to progress into the quarter-finals.
He said: "We know what Geordan can do - cometh the hour, cometh the man is the mantra for him. It's an exciting back three."
O'Sullivan will finalise his front row and bench when he receives medical bulletins on Best and Flannery.
He said: "Rory Best has recovered sufficiently. The hooker situation is we already had Rory carrying an injury which he has almost recovered from.
"We'll know in the next 24 hours if he is available. Jerry should be okay as well.
"We're waiting for clarification on their situations. I don't want to make my mind up until I have all the facts. Jerry should be okay."
Munster fly-half Ronan O'Gara has missed training for the last two days because of a calf injury but O'Sullivan revealed he will be ready for Sunday.
He said: "Ronan has a knock on his leg. It is bruised but he will be fine. He's made good progress and I'm not worried about him."
Ireland:15 Geordan Murphy, 14 Shane Horgan, 13 Brian O'Driscoll (c), 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Denis Hickie, 10 Ronan O'Gara, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 Denis Leamy, 7 David Wallace, 6 Simon Easterby, 5 Paul O'Connell, 4 Donnacha O'Callaghan, 3 John Hayes, 2 TBA, 1 Marcus Horan,
Replacement: 16 TBA, 17 Simon Best, 18 Malcolm O'Kelly, 19 Neil Best, 20 Isaac Boss, 21 Paddy Wallace.
Date: Sunday, September 30
Kick-off: 17:00 (16:00 BST; 15:00 GMT)
Venue: Parc des Princes, Paris
Referee: Paul Honiss (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Mark Lawrence (South Africa), Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Television match official: Christophe Berdos (France)
Assessor: Steve Hilditch
