IRELAND TEAM MANAGER Mick Kearney says that Paul O’Connell should rejoin the squad in time for Sunday’s World Cup quarter final against Argentina.

O’Connell departed the squad’s base in Cardiff earlier this week to undergo surgery on his torn hamstring, but in a squad update released today, Kearney said that the team captain will be present with the squad in the build-up to Sunday’s game.

Kearney added that despite the second row’s tournament being over, he’s been continuing in his role as captain.

“Paul came back into camp on Monday, and spent the first couple of days in camp. He was in good form, and was contributing at the meetings,” he said.

“He left this morning for London where he’s having an operation later today and we’re hoping that Paul will rejoin us in Cardiff either tomorrow evening or Saturday.”

Kearney also spoke about Sean O’Brien’s one week suspension for striking Pascal Pape during the win against France.

The team manager said that no decision has been made as to whether they will appeal the decision, but hinted that they were satisfied with the process.

“I attended the hearing with Sean on Tuesday, obviously a very long hearing, it took the guts of seven hours to hear all 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. We’re reflecting on that and will have a further update tomorrow.”

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