Ireland coach Greg Feek has revealed that the team are willing to consider risking injury doubt Johnny Sexton for their Rugby World Cup quarter-final with Argentina.
The fly-half was forced off during the first half of his side's victory over France on Sunday and faces a race to be fit in time for the showdown with the Pumas at the Millennium Stadium this weekend.
Scrum coach Feek revealed that Sexton was back running and suggested that the importance of the match could lead them to gamble on his fitness.
"Johnny did about three-and-a-half kilometres of running today, so that's a positive. We're quietly confident and we'll see how he goes on Friday," Feek is quoted as saying by BBC Sport.
"When you start to accumulate a number of games in a row, in the Six Nations you usually get two matches and then a week off, while in November you get three but you can still mix it around.
"But here it's do-or-die type stuff, so there might be some allowances around a few things, especially with our medical staff and strength and conditioners, they've got a good feel on things as well."
Ireland are already without injured duo Peter Mahony and Paul O'Connell, while Sean O'Brien is suspended for Sunday's match.
Barney Corkhill
