Keith Earls' Munster career may be over after groin injury

Keith Earls' Munster career may be over following confirmation by the province that the Ireland wing suffered a groin injury and will be out for a "number of weeks".

The 35-year-old "underwent an MRI and has started rehabilitation with the medical department for a groin injury sustained against Sharks," said the club, who face Glasgow Warriors in the BKT United Rugby Championship quarter-finals on Saturday.

Earls is contracted up to the end of the Rugby World Cup in October but missed out on the Six Nations with injury.

He will hope to work his way into Andy Farrell’s panel for the World Cup warm-ups in August.

Assistant coach Denis Leamy indicated that Munster would be interested in keeping on the 98-cap back and told reporters yesterday: "No, it’s not great. He’s got a Grade 3.

"I don’t want to give you the wrong information – groin, adductor, I’m not sure but he’s got a Grade 3 anyway which would probably mean that he’d be out for a number of weeks. That would be our understanding.

"It’s hugely frustrating because he’s come back and he was brilliant on tour in South Africa, two really strong showings off the bench as well and then unfortunately he’s done that injury.

"Such a pity but look, Keith’s with us until the end of the World Cup so who knows? We’ll have to revisit and have a discussion around that but he’s still very much in our plans.

"I suppose at some stage we’ll have to sit down with Keith and see what he wants to do."

Earls made his Munster debut in 2007 and made his 200th appearance against the Sharks. He has played at three World Cups and was on tour with the Lions in 2009.

Watch the BKT URC quarter-finals, Leinster v Sharks (Saturday, 5pm) and Glasgow Warriors v Munster (Saturday, 7.35pm), on RTÉ2 and RTÉ