Rob Kearney has emerged as the latest injury scare ahead of Ireland’s opening Rugby World Cup Pool A match against Scotland next Sunday.

The fear is that the 33-year-old is now a significant doubt for both the Scottish game and the ensuing match against Japan six days later.

Ireland have already lost Robbie Henshaw for the Scotland game due to a hamstring injury although the centre will remain with the squad in Japan. Ironically, Henhsaw had been used at fullback against England in the opening game of the Six Nations earlier this year.