Ireland have called Ulster's Jordi Murphy into their World Cup squad after confirming Jack Conan will miss the rest of the tournament with a broken foot.
Leinster star Conan suffered his foot injury in training on Thursday and had to withdraw from the starting line-up to face Japan in Shizuoka on Saturday.
Ireland suffered one of the great World Cup upsets when losing out 19-12 to the Brave Blossoms to blow Pool A wide open.
And now Joe Schmidt's men have lost Conan, with Ulster star Murphy drafted in and jetting straight out to Japan as a replacement.
"Jack Conan has been ruled out of the remainder of Rugby World Cup 2019 with a foot injury," read the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) statement.
"He will be replaced in the Ireland squad by Jordi Murphy.
"Jordi will arrive in Japan on Sunday, and will join the Ireland squad in Kobe as they prepare for Thursday's Pool A game against Russia."
Peter O'Mahony had been pressed into service to replace Conan to face World Cup hosts Japan, who overpowered Ireland to register a victory almost as supreme as their 34-32 win over South Africa at the World Cup in 2015.
Ireland will roll on to face Russia in Kobe on Thursday in what ought to be a walkover, but head coach Schmidt's men will be left to lick their wounds from their shock loss to Japan.
Full-back Rob Kearney will be a doubt to face the Russians after failing a Head Injury Assessment (HIA) during the defeat by Japan.
"Unfortunately Jack Conan has a fracture in his foot, and he will return home to Ireland," said Schmidt, straight after Saturday's match.
"Rob Kearney has got a decent shiner, but he's feeling okay now.
"He failed his HIA as far as I know. If he doesn't pass HIA two and three he will be a confirmed concussion and he would miss the Russia match."
