Injury for Earls sees Stockdale come into team v Samoa

Keith Earls has been ruled out of Ireland's final Rugby World Cup warm-up game against Samoa (live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player) in Bayonne, with Jacob Stockdale coming in to the side.

Earls, who won his 100th cap in last Saturday's 29-10 win against England at the Aviva Stadium, was due to start on the right wing for tonight's final warm-up game (kick-off 7.45pm Irish time), but sat out yesterday's captain's run at Stade Jean Dauger in Bayonne with a minor knock and has now been withdrawn from the squad.

Head coach Andy Farrell has told RTÉ Sport that the Munster winger's knock is not considered serious.

Stockdale will come into the starting side for tonight's game, which presents the Ulster wing with a huge opportunity to make one final impression ahead of tomorrow's squad announcement for the Rugby World Cup.

The Ulster wing started Ireland's opening warm-up game against Italy, but his hopes of a place in the squad appeared to have dwindled after being left out of the team for both last week's win against England, and initially tonight's showdown with the Samoans.

However, Stockdale will now come straight into the starting team on the left wing, where an impressive showing could give the Ireland coach something to think about ahead of tomorrow's squad announcement.

Ireland: Jimmy O'Brien; Mack Hansen, Robbie Henshaw, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale; Jack Crowley, Conor Murray; Cian Healy, Tom Stewart, Finlay Bealham; Iain Henderson (capt), Tadhg Beirne; Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris.

Replacements: Rob Herring, Jeremy Loughman, Tom O'Toole, James Ryan, Peter O'Mahony, Craig Casey, Ross Byrne, Garry Ringrose.

Samoa: Duncan Paia'aua; Ed Fidow, UJ Seuteni, Tumua Manu, Nigel Ah Wong; Lima Sopoaga, Jonathan Taumateine;