Ross believes Ireland are still Mad for it

VETERAN Ireland prop Mike Ross has backed Ian Madigan to steer Ireland to victory against Argentina today following Johnny Sexton’s late withdrawal due to a groin injury.

Ireland fly-half Sexton was forced to leave the field in the 25th minute of their crushing 24-9 win against France last weekend, with Madigan deputising superbly.

Sexton was named in the starting line-up on Friday but was withdrawn yesterday. ‘Losing a player like Johnny, of course it’s going to be a setback but as Mads showed when he came on, he’s more than able to fill those boots,’ said Ross.

‘A lot of the time he’d be coming on at the end of games to see them out but the fact that he was on pretty much after 20 minutes and put in a terrific performance, it would have been a boost for him.’

Iain Henderson, the replacement for Ireland’s inspirational but injured captain, Paul O’Connell, is also confident he can make an impact. ‘Obviously Paul is a huge loss and it’s massively disappointing, but I think I’m happy enough setting that to one side,’ said Henderson.

‘I’ve played with Dev (Toner) a good bit in the second row and I’m comfortable there with him. And Paul was going to be retiring sooner or later, whether it be last weekend or the end of the tournament. So come the Six Nations I’m sure we would have had similar questions.

‘It’s maybe come a little sooner than expected but I’m confident enough between myself and Dev that we will get the job done.’

It helps that he was outstanding in the second half against France.

‘Coming off the bench is not always easy,’ he said. ‘I was thankful I was able to come on after half-time, when everyone had had a sit down.’