Munster lose Earls for up to six weeks

Keith Earls will be out of action for up to six weeks with a knee injury, Munster said yesterday.

Earls suffered the injury in the first minute Friday’s RaboDirect Pro12 defeat to Leinster at the Aviva Stadium and the Ireland international, who can play at centre, wing or full-back, is set to miss the Heineken Cup meetings with Northampton and Castres and league meetings against Edinburgh and the Ospreys.

The 24-year-old will also be a doubt for the European double-header against the Scarlets next month.

A Munster statement read: “Keith Earls had a scan yesterday in Limerick that confirmed he has sustained medial ligament damage and will be out of action for four to six weeks.”

l Argentina’s Pumas will end the long wait for a place in a major annual competition when they make their debut away to South Africa in the opening fixture of the new Rugby Championship next August.

The calendar for the new competition, successor to the Three Nations that was played by Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, was unveiled by organisers SANZAR yesterday, with the Wallabies at home to the All Blacks on the same day, 18 August.

“The invitation to Argentina to join the Championship is a defining moment for southern hemisphere rugby and significant for world rugby,” said SANZAR chief executive Greg Peters. “The regular participation of Argentina at a higher level is long overdue and we are excited about their inclusion in the Rugby Championship.”