Earls gets the call ahead of McFadden

Keith Earls would have had a spring in his step anyway as he celebrated becoming a father for the first time.

Now he will take to the Aviva Stadium pitch on Sunday having become the heir apparent to Brian O’Driscoll’s Ireland No 13 jersey.

Earls was at home adjusting to fatherhood with partner Edel and new daughter Ella-Maye, born last week, when head coach Declan Kidney announced that the Munster back would also need to make some on-field adjustments this weekend when he starts the opening Six Nations match against Wales as the injured O’Driscoll’s stand-in at outside centre.