New Ireland cap Keith Earls admitted it will be "that bit extra special" for him to make his Test debut against Canada at Thomond Park - a stadium that is just a few minutes from his house.

Earls is the only uncapped player named in new coach Declan Kidney's first Ireland selection - he slots in at fullback in a backline that includes other young talents in Luke Fitzgerald, Tommy Bowe and Rob Kearney.

Earls has played at fullback and centre for Munster this season, scoring four tries in six competitive outings. Much like his play, the 21-year-old Limerick man is undaunted by what lies ahead.

"It's an absolute dream come true to get my first cap for my country at a ground where I grew up. And it's only a couple of minutes from my own house, so it's just that extra bit special. There will be a lot of demand for tickets in the next few days!"

Kidney has no qualms about putting Earls in for his first cap, insisting the former under-20 international deserves his shot at a jersey.

"Keith's trained very well since he has come in with us. We watched him playing the games (for Munster) and I know what he is capable of," said the former Munster boss.

"We are going into a series of games now and the way he has trained I believe he deserves his chance in there."
 
Asked what he will be looking for from his debutant fullback on Saturday, Kidney said: "Just Keith to keep doing what he has been doing. Keith has been working away now for two-and-a-half years.

"He's been in the limelight over the last few months, showing very well, but then he has been doing that too at training over the last year and a bit.

"The reason for doing that is, you do enough training so that when you come out then you just back yourself not to have to do anything special on days like next Saturday and just to keep doing what he is doing."

He added: "Keith looks like to be enjoying himself, he has a good few attributes but let's get him a game under his belt on Saturday and we start talking about that after Saturday.

"He's shown he's come into the line a good few times, his lines of running have been good, the speed he has shown has been good, his kicking game has been good.

"He's getting picked because he deserves to be picked and I'll try not to make it any harder for him by building it up more than that."

Kidney agreed there was 'a big temptation' for the Irish management to fit the experienced Girvan Dempsey into the backline, but that it was important to see how the newer players fare.

"You have a number of guys who have been showing well at fullback over a period of time and what we are trying to do is build a panel.

"Sometimes building a panel means you don't always get to play guys in their favoured position or even their best positions.

"It's just a case of getting guys out on the pitch. I think it's fair to say that all of those temptations were there but I'm looking forward to seeing how these guys go on Saturday.

"It's all about getting opportunities and seizing them to the best of their ability," he added.