Extent of Keith Earls’ ankle injury will be known today

MUNSTER star Keith Earls was due to have further medical examinations today to help determine the exact extent of his damaged ankle.
The exciting Earls sustained the injury in training in Cork at the start of last week and although initial indications are that there is no break, today’s scan should determine the full extent of the injury.


Twenty-two-year-old Earls has had a cruel run of luck with injuries recently - he missed Ireland’s summer tour to New Zealand and Australia due to a groin injury.
Meanwhile Munster’s focus now switches to their opening competitive fixture of the new season, a home Magners League tie against competition newcomers, Aironi Rugby, of Italy, at Musgrave Park this Saturday night (kick-off 7.30pm).
Munster completed their programme of pre-season fixtures when recording a gritty victory over Gloucester in Cork on Friday night.
Tries from Wian du Preez and Alan Quinlan guided Munster to a 15-10 success.
Tony McGahan’s starting line up for the game included the likes of Alan Quinlan, Tony Buckley, Damien Varley, Peter Stringer, Felix Jones, Ian Nagle and Doug Howlett.
Mick O’Driscoll and Niall Ronan both made appearances from the bench and there was also a first Munster start for Johne Murphy who partnered fellow newcomer Sam Tuitupou at centre.
Munster’s Irish internationals have been given the all clear to feature in the opening rounds of the new Magners League season.
In a change from last year’s policy Munster internationals stars such as Ronan O’Gara, David Wallace, Marcus Horan, Tomas O’Leary and Donncha O’Callaghan will be available for selection, if fit, for the upcoming Magners League games.
Under the player management scheme endorsed by the IRFU, big names missed the first month of last season, with many of them having toured South Africa with the Lions.
That won’t be the case this year after Ireland’s governing body gave clubs and provinces permission to select their big names from week one or two of the season.
“The big difference this year is that most of the international players will be available to play in Magners League (week) One and then there are seven or eight other internationals - the guys who are going to play a lot of football this year and who played a lot of football last year - who will start Magners League Two,” Ireland manager Paul McNaughton said.
“The programme is very similar to last year, making sure the players who are playing the most football have rest periods.
“There are agreed rest periods which will be giving a player a match off in a certain phase, depending on the player, and it’s up to the provinces to decide what match that is.
“The other thing is that there are two Magners League games on in November and four more during the Six Nations and the international players will not be available for them.
“The top players, depending on age will play anything from 26 to 32 games, which is the same as last year.
“The approach is different but the objective is the same: we want players in good shape at the end of the season.”
Meanwhile, on the club front, Shannon set up a Limerick Charity Cup semi-final meeting with Bruff after recording a convincing 44-13 quarter-final win over Old Crescent at Rosbrien on Friday night. Colm Tucker’s side ran in six tries, three in each half.
Holders Young Munster also advanced to the semi-final courtesy of a 33-21 victory over Nenagh ormond at Tom Clifford Park.
Munsters’ now face the winners of this Wednesday night’s clash of Garryowen and UL-Bohemian which takes place at Dooradoyle on Wednesday night at 7.30pm.

COLM KINSELLA