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Ireland fly-half and key man Johnny Sexton was ruled out of Saturday's Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Argentina after a groin injury flared up again.
The 30-year-old - who went off with the injury in the first half of Ireland's 24-9 victory over France last Sunday - will be replaced in the starting 15 by Ian Madigan, who performed well when he came on as a replacement against Les Bleus.
Paddy Jackson, the third-choice fly-half, moves to the replacements bench while the Irish have also called up Isaac Boss as cover at scrum-half, a position in which Madigan also plays."In post training, Johnny Sexton tightened up and although scans earlier last week were normal, a further scan [late Friday] revealed a very minor adductor strain," the Irish Rugby Football Union said in a statement.
"It was therefore felt that it was better to withdraw him from the game rather than risk further injury."

READ ALL OUR RUGBY WORLD CUP COVERAGE HERE...

The 35-year-old New Zealand-born Boss - capped 23 times since making his test debut in 2006 - was originally left out of the squad because Ireland coach Joe Schmidt considered that Madigan was able to provide cover at scrum-half.
The win against France came at a cost. First, talismanic lock and skipper Paul O'Connell and flanker Peter O'Mahony sustained tournament-ending injuries. Then star flanker Sean O'Brien picked up a one-week suspension for punching Pascal Pape.
Iain Henderson, having an outstanding tournament, comes into the second row to partner Devin Toner, with Jordi Murphy and Chris Henry filling the flanking vacancies left by O'Mahony and O'Brien. Jamie Heaslip captains the side from number eight.
Argentina reached the last four in the 2007 World Cup, having beaten Ireland in the pool stage and they have looked a dangerous team this time around.
Having gone down 26-16 to pool C winners New Zealand in their opener, they pulverised the rest of the group opposition.
Pumas scrum-half Martin Landajo is one of a host of regulars recalled by coach Daniel Hourcade after a second-string side posted a 64-19 win over Namibia in their final pool game last week.
Landajo will be partnered at half-back by Nicolas Sanchez, and veteran Juan Martin Hernandez in midfield alongside Matias Moroni, playing in the absence of the suspended Marcelo Bosch.
"It's a do-or-die game, very tough and tricky," said Hourcade. "It's the game we were all hoping for, for which we were preparing."
[Argentina and Italy] tend to get in your face, challenge you at the breakdown and on top of that Argentina have the luxury of some world-class finishers 
Joe Schmidt, Ireland coach
Hourcade said Ireland missing a host of first-choice players would "change nothing".
Ireland had a slight hiccup against Italy in pool play, a hard-fought match eventually going their way 16-9.
Schmidt said he and his coaching team had taken good note.
"[Argentina and Italy] tend to get in your face, challenge you at the breakdown and on top of that Argentina have the luxury of some world-class finishers and some people very adept at transferring the ball to those finishers."


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Rugby World Cup 2015

Hopes dashed: Last-minute loss of Johnny Sexton a massive blow for Ireland ahead of Argentina clash

Johnny Sexton is a last-minute withdrawal from Ireland's quarter-final clash against the Pumas on Sunday. Photo: AP

Argentina back-row forward Pablo Matera stretches for the ball during a team training session. Photo: AFP

Ireland fly-half Ian Madigan, who perfromed well against France in the preliminary pool stage, comes in for the injured Johnny Sexton. Photo: AFP

Rugby World Cup 2015 results & standings

The Webb Ellis Cup will be awarded to the winning team after the final of the Rugby World Cup at Twickenham on 31 October (1 November HKT). Photo: AFP

Sport

Rugby

Ian Madigan to replace injured 30-year-old fly-half in do-or-die match against Pumas


Ireland fly-half and key man Johnny Sexton was ruled out of Saturday's Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Argentina after a groin injury flared up again.


Hopes dashed: Last-minute loss of Johnny Sexton a massive blow for Ireland ahead of Argentina clash

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Ian Madigan to replace injured 30-year-old fly-half in do-or-die match against Pumas

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}READ ALL OUR RUGBY WORLD CUP COVERAGE HERE...

Ian Madigan to replace injured 30-year-old fly-half in do-or-die match against Pumas

READ ALL OUR RUGBY WORLD CUP COVERAGE HERE...