Earls out of Heineken Cup clash with Saints

KEITH EARLS has been ruled out of Munster’s Heineken Cup match with Northampton on Saturday.

The international winger was taken off in the opening minutes of Friday night’s RaboDirect Pro12 derby against Leinster when an opponent landed awkwardly on his knee. Munster are awaiting news of a scan to determine how long he will be out of action but have already ruled him out of next weekend’s European Cup opener.

Leinster will be also be without Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll if specialists recommend surgery on the shoulder injury this week.