Keith Earls joins growing Irish injury list ahead of quarters

Ireland's backline stocks will be tested ahead of Saturday's Rugby World Cup quarter-final against New Zealand, with Keith Earls now joining the list of injury concerns.

The Munster wing wasn't selected for yesterday's 36-14 Pool B win against Scotland, and was a notable absentee in the pre-game warm-up, which all squad members would normally take part in.

It's emerged that a hamstring injury saw Earls sit out the game in Paris, just like Robbie Henshaw whose similar issue emerged last week.

And with James Lowe and Mack Hansen both picking up knocks in last night's victory, it could leave Ireland sweating on the availability of some back-three players.

Speaking to the media on Sunday morning, defence coach Simon Easterby had no update on Hansen, Lowe or James Ryan; Hansen suffered a calf injury upon returning from a HIA and appears to be a real doubt for this week, while Lowe's issue seems less serious having been accidentally poked in the eye by a teammate during the game. Second row James Ryan will also be monitored early this week after suffering a wrist injury.

Henshaw (below) did some light running during the captain's run on Friday, and the Ireland assistant says he and Earls will continue to step up their workload in the next couple of days.

"He's got a slight hamstring, so it's one of those things that at a push he could have been involved this weekend," he said of Earls' injury.

"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.

"I don't know if you guys saw Robbie, he did some running at the captain's run, so we probably understand a little