Stuart McCloskey Ireland's only injury doubt for Japan clash

Ireland face Japan at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday. 

Stuart McCloskey was forced off against 56 minutes against the All Blacks with a groin injury. Pic: ©INPHO/Gary Carr

Stuart McCloskey has emerged as Ireland’s only injury doubt ahead of this Saturday’s home Quilter Nations Series clash with Japan following the journey home from defeat in Chicago.

The centre had been forced off with a groin injury on 56 minutes at Soldier Field following an impressive outing against New Zealand last Saturday and following touchdown in Dublin on Monday morning was rated a doubt for this Saturday’s home November opener.

There was a positive update on Ireland captain Caelan Doris who successfully came through his first match since a serious shoulder injury sustained in May. Doris came off the bench in Chicago, initially to cover James Ryan’s temporary absence for a Head Injury Assessment on 33 minutes, and then to replace Jack Conan at No.8 after 51 minutes.

Head coach Andy Farrell is set to name his team to face Eddie Jones’s Japanese on Thursday afternoon with the IRFU announcing ticket sales of more than 49,600 for the 12:40pm kick-off at Aviva Stadium, as of Monday.

Ireland will also host Australia on November 15 and South Africa a week later on November 22, both games having already sold out.