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Earls during the Ireland training camp last week. ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Earls forced to withdraw from Ireland squad

The 24-year-old is set to miss out on Sunday as he plans to remain in Limerick with his partner and newborn, so Fergus McFadden comes into the starting XV.

KEITH EARLS WILL not play any part in Ireland’s Six Nations meeting with Wales this weekend.

The Munster player was handed the No13 jersey by Declan Kidney for Sunday’s opener as Brian O’Driscoll recovers from shoulder surgery.

However, after a conversation with coach Declan Kidney, Earls has decided to stay in Limerick with his partner as his newborn daughter has been taken into hospital.

He will now be replaced by Leinster’s Fergus McFadden with Dave Kearney, younger brother of Rob, coming onto the bench.

“Unfortunately Keith’s baby has been taken ill and is in hospital as we speak,” said Ireland team manager on the IRFU website.

The nature of the illness is unclear, however I did speak to Keith this morning and he was hopeful and optimistic that the baby would get home some time over the weekend.

“The decision was taken following a conversation with Declan (Kidney) and Keith yesterday and it was thought that it was in the best interests of Keith and his partner and their families that Keith remains in Limerick for the weekend.”

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18 Comments
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    Mute Dave O'Hanlon
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    May 11th 2016, 5:10 PM

    Got em all right, im off to celebrate by getting a life

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    Mute Fionn Bohane
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    May 11th 2016, 5:08 PM

    Taibi and I got 5/10 , I thought that might give me Paul Jones or ed de goy .. someone middle of the road , not that clown anyway… To sum up , a tad harsh ..

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    Mute ryan o sullivan
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    May 11th 2016, 5:28 PM

    I am Peter schmeicel

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    Mute Aaron Hynes
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    May 11th 2016, 6:41 PM

    Fabian Bartez, “good but not the best” , haha, pretty accurate there!

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    Mute Keano
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    May 11th 2016, 7:39 PM

    9/10. Agonised for ages over the Selhurst park question and then chose the wrong one.

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    Mute Ann-Marie Wallis
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    May 12th 2016, 6:03 AM

    That question was one of the only ones I got right lol. Milwall would never share a ground with Palace, would be like a south east WWIII.

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    Mute Eiméar Close
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    May 12th 2016, 6:51 AM

    Wouldn’t matter who Milwall were sharing a ground with….they’d start a war with anyone…

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    Mute Ann-Marie Wallis
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    May 12th 2016, 6:55 AM

    Tbf to the actual club, they’ve tried to stamp the rough element out of the game. They also do massive work for charities and advocacy to keep vital services at Lewisham Hospital. Having been to the New Den, I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought, I guess it isn’t fair to tarnish the whole club with one brush. But they hate Palace, lol.

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    Mute Newgate
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    May 12th 2016, 10:08 AM

    I stood in the away section at the old den in New Cross once, it was a cage thankfully cause we were battered with bricks and bottles for the entire game. Scary stuff.

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    Mute Jumperoo
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    May 11th 2016, 9:51 PM

    Jaysus. 10/10. But if the quiz was the other way around – e.g. ‘where do the club who used to play at Ayresome Park now play?’ – then I’d be struggling to get two or three. Must really be showing my age.

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    Mute Tom O'Connor
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    May 11th 2016, 6:15 PM

    6/10 with 3 of them guesses

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    Mute Jigz
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    May 11th 2016, 5:16 PM

    100% I watch/have watched way to much football :L

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