Michael Morrow
BBC Sport NI at the Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa

There’s one worrying sight for Ireland pre-match, and that is Jack Conan on the sidelines wearing a moon boot on his left leg.

The Leinster back row was set to start this match until a team-mate accidentally stood on his ankle in Thursday’s training session.

Given that Jordi Murphy was pulled from Ulster’s starting line-up for their opening Pro14 game yesterday, it’s safe to say that Conan’s future at this tournament is questionable.

Without jumping to any conclusions, the sight of his leg covered up like that will do little to inspire belief that we will see him again in Japan.

The click-clack of studs on polished floor as the two teams come together in the tunnel of the Shizuoka Stadium.

That is soon drowned out by the rumble of drums as the two teams walk out side by side.

Michael Morrow
BBC Sport NI at the Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa

Image source, AFP

All week long Ireland have talked about embracing the atmosphere that comes with playing a host atmosphere at a World Cup. There’s been no time given to talk of coping with the partisan cauldron of noise inside the Shizuoka Ecopa Stadium, and there are two reasons for that.

Japanese fans are incredibly friendly. I witnessed quite a lot of them clapping Russia’s first try in the opening game. With less than half an hour before kick-off, it’s not exactly vitriolic.

Secondly, a team that plays away games against England, Wales and Scotland quite regularly will be well used to having more fans cheering against them than for them.

Add the fact that Irish fans have, once again, travelled in their thousands and there is nothing for Joe Schmidt’s men to fear about the atmosphere today.

Make no mistake, they are heavy favourites for this game and Japan’s home advantage won’t change that in their eyes.

Image source, Getty

Captain Michael Leitch is a shock omission from the Brave Blossoms' starting XV to face Ireland.

Instead, head coach Jamie Joseph opts to bring fit-again Amanaki Mafi into the back row, with flanker Lappies Labuschagne taking over as skipper.

Mafi's inclusion for Leitch, which sees Kazuki Himeno move from the back of the scrum to blind-side flanker, is one of three personnel changes in the pack.

Koo Ji-won comes into the front row for Asaeli Ai Valu as Luke Thompson replaces Wimpie van der Walt at lock.

Japan:Yamanaka; Matsushima, Lafaele, Nakamura, Tupou; Tamura, Nagare; Inagaki, Horie, Koo, Thompson, Moore; Himeno, Labuschagne, Mafi.

Replacements:Sakate, Nakajima, Ai Valu, van der Walt, Tanaka, Matsua, Lava Lemeki.

Becky Grey
BBC Sport at Kobe fan zone

The next generation of Brave Blossoms have been in action at the Kobe fan zone before the main event kicks off.

Before starting, the two teams bowed to each other, then the captains shook hands and played Rock Paper Scissors to decide who would start with the ball.

Much like the national side, attack was their strong suit with pace on the wings.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Getty

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt: "Japan have the capability of being a team that if you underestimate you'll get knocked over by.

"The players have applied themselves really well. Conditions are a little bit different to a normal Irish day, we'll see more of an expansive game than we saw last week."

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt has just been collared by ITV on the touchline in Shizuoka.

He says that Johnny Sexton is "fine" and that he wanted to give Carty "clarity" and "a chance to plan into the weekend".

He says that Sexton will be back involved when Ireland play Russia on Thursday.

Image source, Getty Images

Jack Carty will start at fly-half as Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt makes four changes.

Johnny Sexton is not included in the squad, having been taken off in thewin over Scotland with a thigh niggle.

Rob Kearney and Keith Earls return to the back three as Jordan Larmour and Andrew Conway make way.

Chris Farrell partners Garry Ringrose in midfield as Peter O'Mahony is fit to start in the back row.

Ireland: Kearney; Earls, Ringrose, Farrell, Stockdale; Carty, Murray; Healy, Best, Furlong, Henderson, James Ryan; O'Mahony, van der Flier, Stander.

Replacements:Cronin, Kilcoyne, Porter, Beirne, Ruddock, McGrath, Carbery, Larmour.

Shane Horgan
Former Ireland wing on BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Getty Images

It is something special and games against second-tier nations don't always have the same hullabaloo or interest, but this is slightly different.

Not just because it's Japan in Japan and they're hosts and the engagement from their fans, but we're aware they can shock teams.

Last time out was one of the results in World Cup history when they beat South Africa.

There is always that seed of doubt.

Becky Grey
BBC Sport at Kobe fan zone

It’s a cool 28 degrees at the fan zone in Kobe, 180 miles south-west of where this match is being played in Shizuoka.

Families turned up early with picnic blankets and Japan shirts aplenty.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Getty

Yep, ever since the pools were set out, this match has always looked like a must-see occasion.

Hosts Japan, coming into this game off the back of a 30-10 win over Russia, are well backed by by the locals and not the rank outsiders of the past.

The last time the teams met back in the summer of 2017 in the Japanese captial Ireland got the win by a relatively narrow 35-13.

Image source, Getty Images

You are cordially invited to Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa for a morning of big hits, quick hands and wide grins.

RSVP immediately.

Image source, Getty