Six Nations: Keith Earls out as Ireland forced to reshuffle

FERGUS McFadden will start Ireland’s RBS Six Nations clash with Wales at outside centre after Keith Earls was withdrawn for personal reasons.

Earls’ partner Edel McGee gave birth to their first child, Ella-Maye, last week, only for the baby to return to hospital on Wednesday because of an unspecified illness.

It was decided in conjunction with coach Declan Kidney that the 24-year-old Munster back should miss Sunday’s showdown in Dublin.

McFadden has been promoted to the starting line-up with the uncapped David Kearney, brother of full-back Rob, drafted on to the bench.

“Keith has been ruled out due to personal reasons,” said team manager Michael Kearney. “Unfortunately, his 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.”

Earls had been chosen to fill the void left by O’Driscoll’s championship-ending shoulder injury.

The likely identity of O’Driscoll’s replacement was 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’ game-breaking ability.

Meanwhile, Wales coach Warren Gatland has dismissed any notion of him taking a double risk with Jamie Roberts and Rhys Priestland tomorrow. Both have been declared fit, despite playing limited roles during Wales’ preparations.

Cardiff Blues centre Roberts has not featured competitively since Christmas due to a knee injury, while Scarlets fly-half Priestland suffered knee trouble during a Heineken Cup game two weeks ago.

Wales’ third injury worry this week – flanker Dan Lydiate – will miss the trip to Dublin because of an ankle problem and is to be replaced by former Wales captain Ryan Jones.

“We are happy that Rhys and Jamie have come through,” Gatland said.

“Unfortunately for Dan, he is not quite ready. He might be ready next weekend [against Scotland], but it is an opportunity for Ryan Jones at six.”

Ireland: R Kearney (Leinster); T Bowe (Ospreys), F McFadden (Leinster), G D’Arcy (Leinster), A Trimble (Ulster); J Sexton (Leinster), C Murray (Munster); C Healy (Leinster), R Best (Ulster), M Ross (Leinster), D O’Callaghan (Munster), P O’Connell (Munster, capt), S Ferris (Ulster), S O’Brien (Leinster), J Heaslip (Leinster). Replacements: S Cronin (Leinster), T Court (Ulster), D Ryan (Munster), P O’Mahony (Munster), E Reddan (Leinster), R O’Gara (Munster), D Kearney (Leinster).

Wales: L Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues); A Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), J Davies (Scarlets), J Roberts (Cardiff Blues), G North (Scarlets); R Priestland (Scarlets), M Phillips (Bayonne); R Gill (Saracens), H Bennett (Ospreys), A Jones (Ospreys), B Davies (Cardiff Blues), I Evans (Ospreys), R Jones (Ospreys), S Warburton (Cardiff Blues, capt), T Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons). Replacements: K Owens (Scarlets), P James (Ospreys), A Powell (Sale Sharks), J Tipuric (Ospreys), L Williams (Cardiff Blues), J Hook (Perpignan), S Williams (Scarlets).

Referee: Wayne Barnes (England).