News: The disciplinary hearings against the Argentinian props Roberto Grau and Mauricio Reggiardo for alleged eye-gouging against Keith Wood and Reggie Corrigan are unlikely to be heard before tomorrow, but if found guilty the Puma veterans face bans of one to three years from the game.

The customary "tariff" for such an offence, as outlined in the tournament's disciplinary procedures, is 24 months, with the recommended range of suspension, depending on the severity of the offence and the circumstances, being between 12 and 36 months.

As Grau, the former Northampton prop who won a European Cup winners' medal at Munster's expense in 2000 and now plays with Liceo de Mendoza, and Reggiardo, an even more familiar foe with Castres, are both 33, were they to be found guilty it would probably signal the end of their careers. Any suspension would take into account club rugby as well as Test rugby.

The Irish coach, Eddie O'Sullivan, had said he would not request the match citing commissioner, Douglas Hunter of Scotland, to cite Reggiardo for his alleged gouging of Corrigan, but when Hunter reviewed the match tape it came to light that Grau may have gouged Wood as well.

Hunter yesterday contacted the Irish management asking for their assistance, and they provided statements from both Corrigan and Wood as well as a statement from the team doctor, Gary O'Driscoll. On foot of that, Hunter decided to cite the two Argentinian props for "dangerous play" under regulation 10.4K.

The hearing will probably take place tomorrow and will be heard by one of the tournament's judicial officers, Bruce Squire QC, of New Zealand.

Even if they are cleared of the charges, the accusations leave a stain on Argentina's latest World Cup campaign, which effectively marked the end of an era throughout which their penchant for roughhouse tactics undermined much of the otherwise favourable impression they generated.

Such was the physical nature of the encounter with Argentina on Sunday that, unsurprisingly, the Irish management have deferred naming their team to play Australia in Melbourne next Saturday by 48 hours. Although O'Sullivan has continually said his preference is for putting out Ireland's strongest available team for every match, about four or five changes seem likely.

Prior to the team announcement on Thursday, that hoary chestnut about the outhalf position seems sure to get another airing, and the likelihood is that Ronan O'Gara will start instead of David Humphreys after his generally positive impact off the bench for the final quarter of the 16-15 win over Argentina.

O'Sullivan strongly intimated there might be changes in the immediate aftermath without fuelling any speculation as to where they might be, and a further inference from his comments was that he certainly wanted Ireland to be locked and loaded for the quarter-finals the weekend after next.

Hence, when it was put to him that Keith Wood might be "rested" this Saturday, O'Sullivan did not rule it out although he made the point that "Woody will want to play himself".

O'Sullivan's thinking may be clouded by injuries, for in addition to the dislocated shoulder which has ruled Alan Quinlan out of the remainder of the World Cup, the worst affected by Sunday's bruiser were Victor Costello (sore thigh) and Kevin Maggs (strained ankle).

David Wallace, a late call-up for the third summer running after the Lions campaign in 2001 and Ireland's tour of New Zealand in 2002, was due to arrive in Melbourne this evening, although it is likely that Quinlan will remain on in Australia.

Changes in the back row were likely anyhow, with Anthony Foley back in full training today and Keith Gleeson's specialist skills at the breakdown are sure to be looked at, especially with him eager to make a point against the country he once harboured ambitions of playing for.

Apart from the outhalf position, the rest of the backline has been unchanged in three World Cup outings thus far while, in addition to Wood, the only other forwards to have started all three outings are the locks, Malcolm O'Kelly and Paul O'Connell.

Saturday's game in the 56,347 capacity Telstra Dome will kick-off at 8.35 p.m. local time, which is 9.35 a.m. Irish time.