Keith Earls back on centre stage

Just when he thought it was safe to go back onto the wing, Keith Earls could be pressed into service in Munster’s injury-hit midfield.

Having been held back from duty under the IRFU’s player management programme, Earls and fellow Ireland star Conor Murray are set to be unleashed for the first time this weekend when Munster bid to get back to winning ways with a Guinness Pro12 round three trip to Newport Gwent Dragons.

Rassie Erasmus saw his team take a step back last Friday when, having made two forward, by winning their opening game on the road at Scarlets, they slumped to a home defeat in Cork against Cardiff Blues. That 24-23 loss also came with the further setback of fresh injuries, Ireland flanker Tommy O’Donnell (concussion), lock Dave Foley (elbow) and inside centre Rory Scannell (neck) failing to finish the game at Musgrave Park, and all three have been ruled out for this weekend.