Injured Earls withdraws from Ireland’s tour squad

KEITH EARLS last night became the latest defection from the Irish squad on the tour of New Zealand and Australia.

Earls took part in the camp in Limerick over the past few days before resigning himself to the fact that the persistent groin injury that has troubled him since the end of the Six Nations Championship would prevent him from making the trip. Earls joins three other original selections, Paul O’Connell, Rory Best and Kevin McLaughlin.

Gavin Duffy of Connacht, who plays in the centre against the Barbarians at Thomond Park tonight in spite of not being an original member of the squad, has now been called up for the tour.