Duffy gets call to replace injured Earls

Gavin Duffy has been called up to the Irish squad after Keith Earls was ruled out of Saturday’s second test against New Zealand in Christchurch.

Earls left the field in the 73rd minute of Saturday’s 42-10 loss and the Irish management confirmed the Munster centre suffered a pectoral muscle injury. Earls will remain with the squad and has not been ruled out of the third test. Duffy has been called up as fullback cover for Rob Kearney as Earls was seen as the auxillary number 15 in the squad before his injury.

Leinster three-quarter Dave Kearney was considered by the Irish management as cover but he is recovering from minor surgery and was unavailable.