Joe Carbery's reportedly in line to start Saturday's World Cup clash with Japan.
Johnny Sexton's an injury doubt for the game with an apparent quad muscle injury.
Carbery's been out of action since injuring his ankle against Italy in a world cup warm up match in Dublin in August.
But Ireland's skills and kicking coach, Richie Murphy, has backed the Munster man to step-up against the tournament hosts if he's called upon.
