Jordi Murphy is set to have a scan on the rib injury he picked up in Ireland's 35-0 win over Russia at the Rugby World Cup.
The Ulster back-row was forced off in the first-half, just days after linking up with the squad as an injury replacement for Jack Conan.
“Jordi, he has just got squeezed in the ribs,” Ireland head-coach Joe Schmidt said of the issue.
“He may have popped a rib there, so we’re going to get him checked out.
“He was pretty uncomfortable and that was disappointing because our plan was only to play him for 40 minutes and keep CJ fresh for 40 minutes as well. We’ll see what that comes back like.”
Munster duo Tommy O'Donnell and Jack O'Donoghue are the front runners to replace Murphy should he be ruled out of the rest of the tournament.
Joey Carbery is said to be fine, despite being a late withdrawal from the replacements bench after aggravating an ankle injury in yesterday's captain's run in Kobe.
“Joey is good,” said Schmidt. “I think he would have been OK to play but Conor Murray was very keen to play.
“Just after the captain’s run, Joey jarred his heel into the ground. So there might be a bit of bruising in the ankle.
“But he should hopefully be fine.”
The Ireland head-coach also insists that Johnny Sexton was subbed at half-time for 'tactical reasons' and that the world player of the year will be fit to face Samoa next week.
Everyone’s in the Team Of Us.
Vodafone. The Official Sponsor of the Irish Rugby Team.
