by Our Sports Desk

INJURY has forced twin enforcers Peter O’Mahony and Paul O’Connell from their Ireland’s World Cup campaign.

The staggering collateral damage from Sunday’s superlative 24-9 victory over France could see as many as three fresh faces join the side that will take on Argentina this weekend.

O’Mahony flew home to Cork yesterday afternoon after suffering knee ligament damage, while O’Connell was awaiting merely the formalities of confirmation that both his tournament and Test career were over.

Ireland captain O’Connell spent Sunday night in hospital with a “significant hamstring injury,” with full-back Rob Kearney branding his impending departure a “monumental loss.”

“Paul O’Connell appears to have suffered a significant hamstring injury and was hospitalised overnight. He’s having scans later today to clarify the extent of the injury,” team manager Mick Kearney said on Monday.

“Peter O’Mahony has suffered a knee ligament injury and is returning to Dublin today for specialist opinion and will take no further part in the tournament.

“Johnny Sexton suffered a groin injury, initial clinical assessment is encouraging and we await scanning later today.

“After an incredibly physical encounter a host of players are reporting bumps and soreness and will have to be managed, but nothing more serious than that.

“As soon as we have more clarity on the injury front we will be in a position to make decisions on replacement players.

“At the moment, definitively, only Peter O’Mahony has been ruled out.

Ireland could also receive further bad news ahead of their quarter-final with Argentina in Cardiff on Sunday.

Flanker Sean O’Brien is expected to be cited for an apparent punch to the ribs on France lock Pascal Pape, and could therefore miss the last-eight Pumas battle.

O’Connell’s Test career appears to be at an end after 108 caps. He already indicated he would retire from the Test arena at the end of this competition.