Earls to miss Wales clash
February 04, 2012 19:14:55 UK
Ireland centre Keith Earls will miss Sunday's Six Nations clash against Wales while the visitors have been boosted by the news that Rhys Priestland and Jamie Roberts are both fit.
Earls had been earmarked to replace the injured Brian O'Driscoll but the 24-year-old has withdrawn from the squad following the birth of his baby girl.
"Keith has been ruled out due to personal reasons," said team manager Michael Kearney. "Unfortunately his baby has been taken ill and is in hospital as we speak. The nature of the illness is unclear."
Fergus McFadden comes into the starting line-up to replace Earls, with Dave Kearney promoted to the bench.
Ireland are 1001.00 to complete a Grand Slam while Wales can be backed at 1.36.
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Unfortunately his baby has been taken ill and is in hospital as we speak.
Michael Kearney
Meanwhile, Wales will have fly-half Priestland and centre Roberts in their line-up after they both recovered from knee injuries.
However, Warren Gatland will be without a host of injured players including flanker Dan Lydiate, who has an ankle problem and has been replaced by Saracens prop Rhys Gill, Gethin Jenkins (knee), Luke Charteris (wrist), Alun-Wyn Jones (toe), Matthew Rees (calf strain) and Lloyd Burns (neck).
Gatland said: "We have been working hard, and we feel we are approaching this match with the right attitude and with some good preparation work done. We are two sides who know each other well."
Teams:
Ireland: R Kearney (Leinster); T Bowe (Ospreys), F McFadden (Leinster), G D'Arcy (Leinster), A Trimble (Ulster); J Sexton (Leinster), C Murray (Munster); C Healy (Leinster), R Best (Ulster), M Ross (Leinster), D O'Callaghan (Munster), P O'Connell (Munster, capt), S Ferris (Ulster), S O'Brien (Leinster), J Heaslip (Leinster).
Replacements: S Cronin (Leinster), T Court (Ulster), D Ryan (Munster), P O'Mahony (Munster), E Reddan (Leinster), R O'Gara (Munster), D Kearney (Leinster).
Wales: L Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues); A Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), J Davies (Scarlets), J Roberts (Cardiff Blues), G North (Scarlets); R Priestland (Scarlets), M Phillips (Bayonne); R Gill (Saracens), H Bennett (Ospreys), A Jones (Ospreys), B Davies (Cardiff Blues), I Evans (Ospreys), R Jones (Ospreys), S Warburton (Cardiff Blues, capt), T Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).
Replacements: K Owens (Scarlets), P James (Ospreys), A Powell (Sale Sharks), J Tipuric (Ospreys), L Williams (Cardiff Blues), J Hook (Perpignan), S Williams (Scarlets).
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