Dowling doubtful for Ospreys showdown

THERE was mixed news for Munster followers at yesterday’s Ireland team announcement in Limerick: three-quarter sensation Keith Earls hasn’t been ruled out of Ireland’s Six Nations clash with Italy in Rome on February 15, but Ian Dowling is in a race against time to be fit for Munster’s Heineken Cup quarter-final against Ospreys on April 12.

Earls wasn’t considered for selection ahead of Ireland’s opening Six Nations clash with France because of an on-going dead leg problem, but head coach Declan Kidney revealed there’s an “outside possibility” the 21-year-old will be available for the trip to Rome on Valentine’s weekend.

Earls picked up a dead leg in Munster’s Heineken Cup clash with Montauban last month, and initial reports indicated he’d be fit for Ireland’s opening Six Nations match.