Keith Earls among travelling Munster party for South Africa trek

Ireland internationals Keith Earls and Jeremy Loughman are among the 31-man Munster squad for their double-header in South Africa.

Graham Rowntree's side take on the DHL Stormers and the Cell C Sharks in the final two rounds of the BKT United Rugby Championship, looking to secure their places in the play-offs and next season's Heineken Champions Cup.

Currently in fifth position on 48 points, there are a number of teams who could overtake them should they lose and other results go against them.

The travelling party will arrive in Cape Town Tuesday afternoon with preparations continuing for Saturday's Round 17 game against the Stormers (5.15pm Irish time).

18 forwards and 13 backs are making the trip, with Munster’s 23-man matchday squad to be named at 12pm on Friday.

Earls, who missed Ireland’s Six Nations run with a calf injury, Jeremy Loughman, and academy players Mark Donnelly, Edwin Edogbo and Jack Oliver have been included in the travelling group after overcoming respective injuries.

Following the Champions Cup Round of 16 defeat to the Sharks and the most recent trip to Durban, Niall Scannell, Roman Salanoa, John Hodnett, and Paddy Patterson were ruled out.

Hooker Danny Sheahan who was involved for the Ireland U19s in France on Saturday, and recently enjoyed Six Nations Grand Slam success with the Ireland U20s, has been included in the travelling squad.

Watch Lions v Leinster (Saturday 3pm), Stormers v Munster (Saturday 5.15pm) and Connacht v Cardiff (Saturday 7.35pm) on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player or follow live scores on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app.

Follow a live blog for Italy v Ireland in the Women's Six Nations (Saturday 4.45pm) on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app or listen to live radio commentary on Saturday