Earls not ready to face Aussies

Keith Earls is set to spend another week on the sidelines, having failed to recover from a knee injury in time to face Australia on Saturday.

The Munster back, who has been out with patella tendonitis since missing his province’s trip to Glasgow on October 25, will continue to be monitored by Ireland medical staff in the hope of being passed fit to play New Zealand on November 24.

With Tommy Bowe also sitting out training yesterday following bruising to his calf against Samoa, and being assessed day to day, Leinster’s Luke Fitzgerald has been called into the squad.