Alan Quinlan will face a disciplinary hearing tonight which will determine whether he can play any part in Ireland’s crucial Test against Argentina at Croke Park on Saturday.

Quinlan has been cited for stamping during Ireland’s 22-3 defeat to New Zealand but has still be named in an extended 28-man panel for the clash against Los Pumas, as have injury concerns Rory Best and Paul O’Connell, who both suffered dead legs last Saturday.

With crucial ranking points on the line against Argentina as Ireland bid to hold on to eighth place ahead of Scotland, who face Canada on Saturday, coach Declan Kidney will name his side tomorrow.

“Paul and Rory are doing okay as they continue rehab on their dead legs. They took a limited part in training today,” said Kidney.

“Alan is involved in a disciplinary hearing, so we are just trying to give as much time possible for these matters to be cleared up before we confirm the team.

“All three of them have been named in the squad, and the fact that we decided on 28 members shows how competitive the battle for places is heading into this game.

“It also allows us to cover several combinations if anybody is ruled out of the game.

“While we would normally name our team today, the circumstances and importance of the game meant we needed to give ourselves that extra couple of days to consider all the options.”

The showdown with Argentina has taken on a thrilling new dimension following the publication of the latest world rankings.

Ireland must topple the Pumas if they are to retain eighth place in the International Rugby Board standings.

The rankings determine the seedings for the 2011 World Cup, to be announced on December 1, 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 in a pool featuring two top-tier nations – possibly hosts New Zealand and France or England.

“Nobody is doubting the challenge that faces us this Saturday against another team that is above us in the IRB rankings,” added Kidney.

“The fact that both teams have something to play for in terms of those world rankings gives this game even more of a competitive edge.

“Argentina are a team that work and play extremely hard for each other, so they'll no doubt give their best performance of the autumn against us.”

Meanwhile, Ulster A team manager Gary Longwell has named a 22-man squad to take on the Cardiff A on Friday night. The squad is mainly made up of contracted Ulster players and Academy players with only two clubs players named for the fixture.

Scottish International Simon Danielli is expected to be starting for his province for the first time this season after picking up an injury during pre season training.

“This is a brilliant fixture for us, the A games really allow some of the younger guys to push themselves,” said Ulster A team manager Gary Longwell.

“From my point of view of looking after the Ulster Academy I find it encouraging seeing six of my players involved in this squad. “We will announce our final team on Thursday morning and hopefully this fixture will provide Matt Williams with some idea of what the younger guys are capable of.”

IRELAND SQUAD: Forwards: R Best (Ulster), T Buckley (Munster), B Casey (London Irish), T Court (Munster), S Ferris (Ulster), J Flannery (Munster), J Hayes (Munster), J Heaslip (Leinster), M Horan (Munster), B Jackman (Leinster), S Jennings (Leinster), D O'Callaghan (Munster), P O'Connell (Munster), M O'Kelly (Leinster), A Quinlan (Munster), D Wallace (Munster).

Backs: T Bowe (Ospreys), G Dempsey (Leinster), K Earls (Munster), L Fitzgerald (Leinster), S Horgan (Leinster), R Kearney (Leinster), G Murphy (Leicester), B O'Driscoll (Leinster, captain), R O'Gara (Munster), T O'Leary (Munster), E Reddan (Wasps), P Wallace (Ulster).

Ulster A: (Forwards) J Carey (UR); N Hanna(UR), D Fitzpatrick(UR), F Paulo(Malone), J Sandford(UA), B Young(UR), P Karayiannis(UA), N McCombe(Belfast Harlequins), T Anderson(UR), W Faloon, C Henry(UR), S Philpott(UR),

(Backs) P Marshall(UR), I Humphreys(UR), S Danielli(UR), I Whitten(UA), P Steinmetz(UR), C Cochrane(UA), M McCrea(UR), I Porter(UA), N O'Connor(UR), J Smith(UA)