Earls out for a 'number of weeks'

Rugby:Munster’s Keith Earls and Wian du Preez have both been ruled out of the Heineken Cup game with Racing Metro this Saturday (1.35pm).

Earls, who is suffering from a groin strain, saw a specialist this afternoon and will be out of action for a “number of weeks”, according to a Munster statement.

Du Preez, who injured a knee in the league defeat to Leinster last weekend, has yet to have his injury assessed fully, so the length of his absence has not been determined.

Flanker Niall Ronan, who was a late withdrawal from the squad for the Leinster game, took a limited part in training today and is “unlikely to be in consideration for the Racing game”.

Felix Jones could make the cut, having taken full part at CIT today, though a return to the full team may come too soon for the fullback.

“If he reports no ill-effects then he will return to action (at some level) at the weekend,” a statement read.