Paul O’Connell to re-join Irish squad before Argentina game

Paul O'Connell will return to the Irish camp ahead of Sunday's World Cup quarter-final against Argentina.

The Ireland captain will offer his vast experience and leadership skills to the group, 24 hours after going under the knife to treat his tournament ending hamstring injury.

Ireland team manager Michael Kearney says that O'Connell had remained heavily involved in the team's preparations prior to departing for London on Thursday for his operation - despite the bitter disappointment of having his tournament, and test career cut short so suddenly.

“Paul came back into camp on Monday and spent the first couple of days in camp - he was in good form and was contributing to the meetings. He left for London this morning (Thursday) where he is having an operation later today and we are hopeful that Paul will rejoin us back here in Cardiff either tomorrow evening or on Saturday.”

Meanwhile Keith Earls and Johnny Sexton are expected to train on Friday, while no decision has been made on whether or not to appeal Seán O'Brien's one week ban for striking Pascal Pape.

“Keith Earls first of all, he sat out training on Tuesday, basically we’re just managing his load - but he will train fully tomorrow,” added Kearney.

“In relation to Johnny Sexton he did quite a bit of running yesterday and again is expected to train tomorrow.

“I attended the hearing with Seán on Tuesday - obviously it was a very long hearing it took the guts of seven hours to hear all of the evidence and see it through. It was a very fair process, a very thorough process. We did receive the written report on the hearing earlier today and we are reflecting on that and will have a further update tomorrow.”

Kearney was also keen to stress the importance of the Irish support so far in the tournament, saying last Sunday’s atmosphere in the Millennium Stadium was like having a “16th man”.

“I think everyone I’ve spoken to from players, to people, to neutrals even who were in the ground - saying they’ve never seen an atmosphere like it before in the Millennium Stadium - and that includes Irish matches, Heineken cup finals and even Welsh matches. It was incredible support, incredible volume, I don’t think anyone has ever heard Ireland’s call sung with such passion and gusto it really was spine tingling.

“The players appreciate the support massively, they appreciate the efforts, the expense and the trouble people have gone to to get to Cardiff by air, sea and rail and there’s no doubt that it acted as a 16th man or 24th man to the team right throughout the game. I don’t think the support flagged from before kick-off right up to the 80th minute - so quite phenomenal.”