Shizuoka (Japan) (AFP)

One being misses you ... Ireland tries to get used to playing without his leader Johnny Sexton who drags a muscle injury to a thigh and will be absent Saturday (9:15 French) against Japan for the shock of Pool A world Cup.

"Johnny is never happy to be put aside." No offense to coach Joe Schmidt, it happens more and more often to the Irish opener who, at age 34, has played only 11 matches in 2019, including 7 with the XV Clover.

Keeping cool for almost all summer preparation due to physical glitches that the Irish coach has kept detailed, the boss was on time to meet on Sunday for entry into the World Cup in the face of Scotland (27-3).

Those who hoped to be reassured about the shape of the Dubliners will have to go again: metronome of the game licked of the XV of Clover, Sexton played his usual partition in the first period but quickly gave up his role of scorer to Conor Murray. Treated with adductors from the first period, he was replaced at the hour of play by Jack Carty, as soon as the acquired offensive bonus.

"When a scorer receives a shot at the quads, the quality of his shots may be affected," said coach Richie Murphy. "We will not take chances with him".

- Carty driving -

As usual, Schmidt was reassuring about the best player of the year 2018: Sexton "keeps fit" and "can come back", perhaps against Russia on October 3rd. Or for a likely quarter-final against South Africa, a major goal of a selection that has never known the last four.

Meanwhile, the conductor against the Nippons will be called Jack Carty. The leader of Connacht is only N.3 in the hierarchy of openers but N.2 Joey Carbery, injured in August, just returned from injury and start on the bench.

Carty, holder for the second time in green, "is very calm and can not be easily ruffled," says Schmidt. His first was a prestigious success in Wales (22-17) at the end of August. "He is not distracted by a possible error or by those who try to put pressure on him ... (...) This gives us a lot of confidence."

Without Sexton, but with two back-to-back injury holders, back Rob Kearney and winger Keith Earls, Ireland will be favorites against Japan after outclassing Scotland with a very tight pack.

The Brave Blossoms, who struggled to dominate Russia on Friday (30-10), will seek to repeat the feat achieved in 2015 against South Africa (34-32), an opponent of the same caliber. In which took part the veteran Luke Thompson (38 years), dean of the World which will hold second line.

A lot of experience but also madness ... Japan will need all these assets to beat Ireland, even deprived of Sexton.

© 2019 AFP