Keith Earls an injury concern for Ireland ahead of mammoth World Cup clash with All-Blacks

MUNSTER Rugby winger Keith Earls is an injury concern for Ireland ahead of next Saturday's mammoth Rugby World Cup quarter-final meeting with New Zealand at the Stade de France, 8pm Irish time.

Vastly experienced winger Earls is nursing a slight hamstring problem ahead of the big Paris showdown. He was absent from Andy Farrell's matchday 23 for last Saturday evening's emphatic pool victory over Scotland which set up next weekend's last eight clash with New Zealand.

Ireland defence coach Simon Easterby said: “It’s one of those things that at a push he could have been involved this weekend, and it was probably one of those we felt wasn’t the right time to risk him.

“But we were really pleased it was flagged when it was and we had the opportunity to make the call early enough.

“Fingers crossed he’s fully fit for this week.

“They’ll both be running today, Earlsy and Robbie (Henshaw), and will sort of be progressing into training Monday or Tuesday.”

Ireland are anxiously waiting on the availability of first-choice wings Mack Hansen and James Lowe for next weekend's big quarter-final.

Hansen was forced off for a head injury assessment in the first half of Saturday evening’s 36-14 win over Scotland before suffering a calf issue on his return.

Lowe departed at half-time due to a bang in the eye after claiming the first of his side’s six tries in Paris.