Ireland's Keith Earls doubtful for second Test against Australia

by The TRU Team Tuesday 12 June 2018

Keith Earls suffered a head injury during the first Test

©PA

Ireland wing Keith Earls is a doubtful starter for the second Test against Australia in Melbourne on Saturday following a head injury.

The 30-year-old sustained the blow during the 25th minute of the game against the Wallabies at Suncorp Stadium last weekend and after a head injury assessment, he did not return back to the field.

Earls will now undergo a return to play protocols which is likely to keep him out of the deciding second Test which Ireland need to win if they are to remain alive in the series.

Head coach Joe Schmidt is likely to include Johnny Sexton in the XV after the British and Irish Lions star was named on the bench for last weekend's game which saw Wallabies register an 18-9 victory.

Apart from Sexton, Garry Ringrose, Sean Cronin, Tadhg Furlong, Devin Toner and Cian Healy are also in contention to be named in the starting line-up.

The final two games of the series will be played in Melbourne and Sydney on 16th and 23rd June respectively.