Carbery’s only appearance in the Heineken Champions Cup last season saw him tally eight points from the tee in Munster’s 33-40 Round of 16 defeat to eventual winners Toulouse.

Ireland crossed for five tries in Dublin but were made to work hard to earn victory against a creative Japan team.

Yu Tamura nudged Japan into an early lead with a penalty on three minutes, but Munster centre Chris Farrell went over for the opening try of the game moments later.

Carbery duly converted – as he did with all but one of Ireland’s scores – before Japan hit back through a try from Michael Leitch with just over ten minutes played, Tamura adding the extras.

Ulster Rugby’s Stuart McCloskey then crossed for Ireland on 26 minutes, but Japan responded once again with Timothy Lafaele going over.

A try from Connacht Rugby prop Finlay Bealham on half-time swung the score line back in Ireland’s favour, heading into the second half with a slender 19-17 lead.

Japan hit the front once again though on 43 minutes with Siosaia Fifita going over, Tamura’s third successful conversion of the day putting them five points clear.

Momentum swung back in Ireland’s favour as Leinster Rugby’s Josh van der Flier and Ulster’s Jacob Stockdale both crossed in quick succession with half an hour to play.

Naoto Saito’s try on 56 minutes kept Japan in the contest, but two penalties from Carbery sealed a hard-fought victory for Ireland.

Munster Rugby fly-half Joey Carbery kicked 14 points as Ireland battled to an entertaining 39-31 Test Match win over Japan at the Aviva Stadium.