Jack McGrath has admitted that Ireland will have a "big void" if captain Paul O'Connell is missing for their Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Argentina.
The Six Nations champions beat France 24-9 to finish top in Pool D, but the lock was stretchered off with a hamstring injury at half time.
After the match, the prop told Sports Mole: "Obviously it's a big void for us to fill, but there's been guys that's stepped up there, there's been injuries the whole way through for us, even the Six Nations, and we've come through.
"It's really unfortunate to lose Paul, but I think the likes of Iain Henderson has grown into an excellent player. It's going to be interesting to see but I think we're going to be OK."
O'Connell, fly-half Jonny Sexton and Peter O'Mahoney will all need further tests after picking up injuries in the win, but coach Joe Schmidt has admitted that he is not optimistic over his captain's availability.
Sian Cowper
