Earls withdraws from squad over baby scare

Ireland rugby star Keith Earls was last night “hopeful and optimistic” that his newborn daughter will be released from hospital over the weekend, Irish team management said.

Munster centre Earls, 24, yesterday withdrew from Ireland’s squad for tomorrow’s Six Nations opener against Wales after baby Ella-Maye was re-admitted to hospital in Limerick on Wednesday.

Earls’ partner Edel McGee had given birth the previous week but the baby was taken ill. Ireland team management decided it was in the best interests of the player and his family that he spend the weekend with them rather than playing test-match rugby.