Andy Farrell will be without one of his most valued assets when Ireland conclude their autumn series against Argentina on Sunday after Johnny Sexton was ruled out of action for up to six weeks.
The Leinster fly-half played through pain to complete 64 minutes during Saturday's special 29-20 win over New Zealand, but a knee injury has called a premature end to Sexton's November schedule.
Ireland's captain converted only two of his four kicks from the tee against the All Blacks, but he played an otherwise crucial role in marshalling an almost flawless display from the Dublin hosts.
The veteran went down during the first period of Saturday's Test with a knee issue, but he played on and was crucial as Ireland surged to win from a 10-5 half-time deficit.
Sexton, 36, has been dogged by rumours that he's set to retire at the end of this season, but Saturday's showing at the Aviva Stadium was further evidence he's got more to offer at the top level.
Ireland are hoping to clinch a third straight win over the Pumas to complete a clean November sweep following wins over Japan and the All Blacks, but their prospects look dimmer without their skipper present.
An Irish Rugby statement read: "Captain Johnny Sexton twisted a knee and ankle against New Zealand at the weekend which will rule him out of action for between 4-6 weeks. The Ireland captain will remain with the squad this week as the team prepares for the game against Argentina.
"Connacht’s Jack Carty has joined the Ireland squad for the final week of the Autumn Nations Series."
Munster back-rower Gavin Coombes has also linked back up with the national team after missing the win over New Zealand due to illness.
Do you think Ireland will beat Argentina on Saturday without captain Johnny Sexton? Let us know in the comments section.
Sexton enjoyed a 60-5 hammering of Japan when he won his 100th Ireland cap earlier this month, but the win over New Zealand will likely hold an even more prestigious place among his catalogue of career highlights.
Despite Carty's call-up, Munster out-half Joey Carbery—who replaced Sexton against the All Blacks—looks most likely to fill in at 10, while Leinster's Harry Byrne is an option for the bench against Argentina.
New Zealand-born Carbery, 26, came on to kick three important penalties from as many attempts and keep his side outside the All Blacks' clutches in Dublin.
Ireland have beaten the Pumas in seven of their past eight encounters, with the South Americans' sole win during that period being the 43-20 thrashing they served up in the 2015 Rugby World Cup quarter-finals.
