Joey Carbery will be out of action for the foreseeable future. The 22-year-old, in only his second start for Ireland, sustained a fractured left forearm after being tackled by Fijian prop Peni Ravai on the hour mark with the score locked at 17-17 at the Aviva stadium.
Munster's Ian Keatley arrived to guide Ireland to a 23-20 victory.
"It is undisplaced," said Ireland coach Joe Schmidt. "We will update on Monday but that would mean he will not play any part in the Guinness series for us."
Carbery, despite missing two touchline conversions, had a superb game, highlighting his rare talent despite just six minutes at outhalf since tearing ankle ligaments in June.
"Some times it is just about finding a way," said Schmidt. "Joey was a bit special the way he cut the line and got that pass into the hands of Darren Sweetnam for the first try.
“We wanted to see the players react under pressure. We got that at 17-all, and 20-all. We stayed calm enough to control that last 10 minutes. I thought Ian Keatley did really well to come in and kick the two goals, particularly the second kick he struck really well.”
Schmidt conceded that a clear problem exists for Ireland as Leinster continue to play Carbery at fullback, with Ross Byrne usually playing 10 when Johnny Sexton is rested.
"It is what it is. It is an unfortunate situation for us but I totally understand; they got Johnny Sexton at Leinster and he plays. When Rob Kearney was injured Joey took the responsibility at fullback. I just appreciated he was getting game time.
“I would love to see him play 10 more often. I think that would help his development. It’s a needs must situation.
"I thought his ability to organise others is coming along. That's one of the biggest responsibilities of a 10. I think his own game was really good. His cross kick for Dave Kearney from his 22 was pin-point perfect, we didn't maximise on the back of it but his vision is really good. The kick where we thought we scored, when Andrew Conway got his hand to it, was really well placed.
“And the pass to Darren – I don’t think you will see one more accurate.
“The threat he poses at the line himself – he ducked and dived and posed a few questions of the Fijian defence. He’s brave, potentially to a fault, because he takes no heed who is in front of him.”
Carbery was also emptied on eight minutes by Jale Vatubua just after he released the ball. He recovered enough to play on.
A date for his recovery is due on Monday.
“Joey is the only injury that will cause him not to be involved next weekend against Argentina.”
