Ireland wait on Quinlan

The Ireland forwards Paul O'Connell, Rory Best and Alan Quinlan have been included in an extended squad for the side's vital match with Argentina at Croke Park. The Munster second row O'Connell and Ulster hooker Best suffered dead legs in the 22-3 defeat by New Zealand and are battling to prove their fitness.

With crucial ranking points on the line against Argentina, head coach Declan Kidney has delayed his team announcement until tomorrow. Quinlan's citing for stamping against the All Blacks has further complicated matters, though the Munster back row still features in the 28. His disciplinary hearing takes place in Dublin tonight.

The Argentina match has taken on a new dimension following the publication of the world rankings and Ireland must topple the Pumas to retain eighth place. Scotland are in ninth, with both teams having one influential match left. The rankings determine the 2011 World Cup seedings, to be announced on 1 December, and Ireland are desperate to avoid the type of group that contributed to their early elimination last autumn. Should they drop to ninth, they will be drawn against two top-tier nations.