Ireland captain Keith Wood has today pulled out of the squad for next week's Test against Argentina, the hooker still struggling with a persistent neck injury.
Wood returned to action for English Premiership side Harlequins last weekend but said today he had decided "to take a rest from the game for a few weeks."
Wood has already missed the victory over Australia and will miss the Fiji match this Sunday but was expected to return for the clash with the Pumas.
Brian O'Driscoll is expected to continue in the role of captain until the hooker returns to the fold.
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The battle to fill the gap in the front row will be between Shane Byrne and Frankie Sheahan, the latter set to start against Fiji on Sunday.