Rugby:Munster's Keith Earls has been ruled out of Ireland's Six Nations opener against Wales at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday, and will be replaced by Fergus McFadden. The Leinster player's place on the bench will be filled by his provincial team-mate David Kearney, with starting wing Andrew Trimble offering cover for the centre.
The 24-year-old Earls has withdrawn from the squad following the birth of his daughter Ella-Maye, who has been been kept in hospital.
"There has been one late change to the Irish team, Fergus McFadden has come in as a replacement for Keith Earls, who has been ruled out due to personal reasons," said team manager Michael Kearney this afternoon. "Unfortunately Keith's baby has been taken ill and is in hospital as we speak. 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 Edel and their families that Keith remains in Limerick for the weekend.
"Fergus comes in, instead of Keith and David Kearney has taken Fergus' place on the replacements bench."
The likely identity of Brian O’Driscoll’s replacement had been the source of intense debate, but three days out from Ireland’s Six Nations opener Kidney was forced into a rethink. Earls, Ireland’s leading try-scorer at last autumn’s World Cup, offers more of an attacking threat than McFadden, though there are doubts over his hands and defence.
McFadden, who made his Test debut against Italy last year and is more accustomed to playing centre, is stronger in the tackle, but lacks Earls’ gamebreaking ability. Kearney insists McFadden will slot seamlessly into the line-up having been on standby ever since concerns over the health of Earls’ baby arose.
“Fergus has obviously been training with us for the last couple of weeks,” said Kearney. “When Keith missed a couple of days last week Fergus, filled in at outside centre. Fergus playing there isn’t an issue. We confirmed the news to him yesterday.
“Keith trained on Thursday and Friday and it was decided that we’d give him some extra time earlier this week. The baby went into hospital on Wednesday, so Declan was in touch with Keith and it was decided to make the call sooner rather than later. The management and squad are very supportive of Keith and the best decision has been made.”
Veteran Ulster hooker Rory Best believes that Earls’ situation underlines the importance of keeping sport in perspective.
“There are moments in your life when you realise there are more important things in your life than rugby,” he said. “All the players wish him and his family all the best. Hopefully his little girl will get better and Keith will join us soon. He’s a great character around the squad and will be missed this weekend as a player and a person.”
Wales outhalf Rhys Priestland and centre Jamie Roberts were this afternoon named in Warren Gatland’s side, after both recovered from knee injuries this week.
Flanker Dan Lydiate, however, did not make the cut for a team that sees five changes from the side that beat Declan Kidney’s men in the quarter-final of the World Cup in New Zealand last year.
Ryan Jones will replace Lydiate, who has struggled with an ankle injury. Like Ireland, Wales have no debutants in the side, though three of the matchday squad – Saracens loosehead prop Rhys Gill, Blues wing Alex Cuthbert and Scarlets hooker Ken Owens – are in line for their second caps.
Loosehead prop Gill comes in for Gething Jenkins, having won his first cap two years ago off the bench against Ireland in Croke Park.
Cuthbert debuted in the defeat to Australia before Christmas, and is in for the retired Shane Williams, meaning Geroge North will move to the left wing. Owens will start on the bench after making his debut in the World Cup Pool D clash with Namibia.
Hooker Huw Bennett will win his 50th cap - only the second Wales hooker to achieve that feat after Garin Jenkins.
Lydiate joins Gethin Jenkins (knee), Luke Charteris (wrist), Alun-Wyn Jones (toe), Matthew Rees (calf strain) and Lloyd Burns (neck) in missing the Dublin trip.
Roberts, meanwhile, has not played since Christmas, while Priestland was hurt during the Scarlets' Heineken Cup victory over Castres a fortnight ago. But their recoveries provide a huge lift for Gatland as Wales look to repeat their World Cup victory of just four months ago over Ireland.
"We have been able to retain continuity in some key areas," 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. Ireland will not have enjoyed losing to us in New Zealand. They will want to redress the balance in Dublin this weekend, but they will find us in just as determined a mood."
Wales have won on just two of their previous six Dublin visits in the Six Nations, while Ireland can claim seven previous victories on the tournament's opening weekend.
Ireland (v Wales): R Kearney; T Bowe, F McFadden, G D'Arcy, A Trimble; J Sexton, C Murray; C Healy, R Best, M Ross, D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell (capt), S Ferris, S O'Brien, J Heaslip. Replacements: S Cronin, T Court, D Ryan, P O'Mahony, E Reddan, R O'Gara, D Kearney.
Wales (v Ireland):L Halfpenny; A Cuthbert, J Davies, J Roberts, G North; R Priestland, M Phillips; R Gill, H Bennett, A Jones, B Davies, I Evans, R Jones, S Warburton (capt), T Faletau. Replacements: K Owens, P James, A Powell, J Tipuric, L Williams, J Hook, S Williams
