O'Sullivan Turns to Hickie and Murphy for Argentina Showdown

Faced with the near certainly that Ireland will go out of the World Cup on Sunday their coach, Eddie O'Sullivan, yesterday did a rapid U-turn by recalling Denis Hickie for the match against Argentina and giving Geordan Murphy his first start of the tournament.

A third change may be announced today when Ireland know more about injuries to two of their hookers. Jerry Flannery, who started against France, damaged his knee in training on Monday and Rory Best is nursing a shoulder, although both are expected to be fit for the make-or-break encounter.

O'Sullivan could have made other changes, especially after the forwards gave up 25% of their line out ball against France, but it was the decision to remodel the back three which caused most interest at the team's headquarters in Bordeaux.

Hickie comes back at the expense of Andrew Trimble, who was used experimentally and unsuccessfully in the 25-3 defeat to France last Friday. Murphy, who has more than 50 caps, could not even squeeze on to the bench that day and it sparked rumors that the Leicester full-back was so fed up that he had packed his bags and was going home.

In fact Murphy was still at the hotel but he was not happy, and he was not exactly wreathed in smiles after learning that he would return because of injury to Girvan Dempsey. "It's never nice to be not involved," he said. "All the guys who have not been involved in this team have tried to remain positive. It's difficult because everyone wants to be involved and it's just not going to happen. It's up to the individual to keep himself upbeat and try to remain positive because it's very easy to sap energy from the squad."

He might have been even less happy had he heard O'Sullivan suggest that but for Dempsey's damaged shoulder the 29-year-old would have been left to kick his heels again. "Girvan to me has been the most consistent player all the way through. He's a loss," said O'Sullivan. "Geordan, we know what he can do when he's on his form. He may think he's been hard done by and I can understand that. It's a good opportunity for him. It's a big game for him. He's in at the deep end."

The same can be said of Ireland. Against a side who have yet to concede a try, they have to cross the Argentinian line at least four times and win by more than seven points. After two bad performances and last Friday's poor one, Ireland appear to be heading home, where questions are being asked about the recent four-year extension to O'Sullivan's contract.

Ireland team

15 Geordan Murphy Leicester

14 Shane Horgan Leinster

13 Brian O'Driscoll, capt Leinster

12 Gordon D'Arcy Leinster

11 Denis Hickie Leinster

10 Ronan O'Gara Munster

9 Eoin Reddan Wasps 1 Marcus Horan Munster

2 Rory Best Ulster or Jerry Flannery Munster

3 John Hayes Munster

4 Donncha O'Callaghan Munster

5 Paul O'Connell Munster

6 Simon Easterby Llanelli Scarlets

7 David Wallace Munster

8 Denis Leamy Munster

Replacements

Rory Best Ulster or Jerry Flannery Munster, Simon Best Ulster, Malcolm O'Kelly Leinster, Neil Best Ulster, Isaac Boss Ulster, Paddy Wallace Ulster, Andrew Trimble Ulster