Hi °C | Lo °C And so, with heavy irony, the player controversially ditched by Ireland last week has now been tasked with saving his country's participation in the World Cup.
Geordan Murphy, who found himself at the centre of a storm last week as rumours abounded that the Leicester star had walked out of the Irish camp after being dropped from the 22 to face France, returns to the starting line-up to face Argentina at the Parc des Princes on Sunday.
Murphy's return, in place of Girvan Dempsey who has failed to recover from a shoulder injury sustained in the defeat to France, is one of two changes by Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan.
Denis Hickie, another whose international career looked over following his omission from the 22 in Paris having started both games against Namibia and Georgia, is also brought back from the cold at the expense of Ulster's Andrew Trimble on the left wing.
"We know what Geordan can do when he is on his form," said O'Sullivan.
"Cometh the hour, cometh the man.
" I think he will be up for this one, we know he brings a cutting edge in attack, he is a great strike runner and his very good under the high ball.
"It is an exciting back three in that respect and a good opportunity for Geordan. He is in at the deep end and I am sure he will be fine."
It was a tough call on Trimble, who seemingly has paid the price for both of France's tries coming down his channel when in reality the first of Vincent Clerc's touchdowns was a stunning piece of deception and execution by the French and Clerc's second was made when he bounced off Girvan Dempsey as he collected Jean Baptiste Elissalde's cute chip.
"It was a tough decision but it is a bit of horses for courses," said O'Sullivan.
"Last week I went with with Andrew on the basis I wanted him to do certain things, this week is a little bit different. I am bringing Denis in because of the dynamics of the game against Argentina.
" Andrew is on the bench and come on in more of an impact role, which he is very capable of."
Yet few can argue that the return of Hickie and Murphy, two of the squad's most dangerous game -breakers when in their pomp, will bring an edge to the back three that could be so crucial in Ireland's desperate attempt to score the four tries they need, while at the same time denying Los Pumas a bonus point in defeat, to reach the quarter-finals.
Surprisingly Rory Best is also back in contention for the showdown, having made quicker than expected recovery from his dislocated thumb injury.
O'Sullivan said yesterday he wanted to wait another 24 hours before making his call to give Best, who missed the French defeat, and Jerry Flannery, who suffered a stinger in his neck in training on Monday, another 24 hours to prove their respective fitnesses.
Best's return however would be the sole change to the pack, with Malcolm O'Kelly and Neil Best in particularly unlucky not to have earned recalls.
"We looked at making changes in the back five but I am happy enough that sticking with the back five is the best option," added O'Sullivan.
Despite the fact that Ronan O'Gara hasn't trained for two days because of a bruised knee, and has also looked only a shadow of the player he can be, there is no change at out-half either.
"Ronan picked up a nasty bruise on his knee in the first play of the game against France," added O'Sullivan. "It is quite sore but he will be fine."
Ireland: G Murphy: S Horgan, B O'Driscoll (capt) G D'Arcy, D Hickie; R O'Gara, E Reddan; M Horan, AN Other, J Hayes, D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell, S Easterby, D Leamy, D Wallace.
Replacements: AN Other, S Best, M O'Kelly, N Best, I Boss, P Wallace, A Trimble.
