Earls, Bowe in frame to face Springboks at fullback

RUGBY:FULLBACK REMAINS the major selection headache for Ireland coach Declan Kidney, 11 days out from the opening November international against South Africa.

Speaking yesterday from the Ireland training base in Carton House, assistant coach Mark Tainton spoke of the need for Felix Jones to remain with Munster in order to get some field time at Cardiff Arms Park this Friday. “We thought it was best for Felix to get another game under his belt and spend the whole week with Munster and hopefully they’ll start him again at 15,” said Tainton.

That means Keith Earls and Tommy Bowe, established internationals at wing and even centre, are the main contenders to replace the injured Rob Kearney and play fullback against the Springboks, a nation with a long tradition of bombarding the opposition back-field.

“We have Tommy, we have Keith, we have Simon Zebo who can play 15 as well. There are three options straight away,” said Tainton. However, Jones’ return to the Ireland squad next week, for the first time since the 25-year-old Dubliner was injured on the eve of the 2011 World Cup, remains a distinct possibility.

Tainton also explained the decision to call up Ulster’s Paddy Jackson as outhalf cover ahead of Ian Madigan at Leinster or Ian Keatley at Munster. The 20-year-old gets the nod because he is first-choice number 10 at his province. “Paddy has been going very, very well for Ulster, playing week in, week out. Came off the bench last week, I know, but apart from that his game management has been very good. He is the in-form player and that’s why we brought him into the camp this week. We know Ronan (O’Gara) has carried a hamstring for the last few weeks. He is going to train today and tomorrow and see how he manages that.”

Rory Best (sore neck) and Cian Healy (shoulder) are concerns. Healy will see a specialist this week, while Best remained in Belfast for treatment. Brian O’Driscoll is nursing ligament damage to his ankle, sustained against Cardiff last Saturday, but the Ireland captain is expected to recover. Paul O’Connell, Earls and Stephen Ferris returned to training yesterday but Brian O’Driscoll (ankle), Eoin Reddan (knee) and Gordon D’Arcy (dead leg) need more time to heal but should be available for selection against South Africa.

Leinster’s Eoin O’Malley is due to return against the Ospreys on Sunday after recovering from cruciate knee damage sustained at the tail end of last season. O’Malley has a new rival to fill the vacant Leinster midfield as place-kicking New Zealander Andrew Goodman arrived at training in UCD yesterday.