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Luke Fitzgerald has been called in for Tommy Bowe (cal strain). INPHO/Dan Sheridan
fitness update

Fitzgerald and Jennings called up as Ireland rule out Earls and Henry

Jonathan Sexton is available for weekend selection as are Paul O’Connell and Sean O’Brien.

IRELAND HAVE CALLED up Shane Jennings and Luke Fitzgerald after Chris Henry and Keith Earls were ruled out of the Australia game.

Tommy Bowe is listed as ‘day to day’ but Jonathan Sexton is in contention for a start against the Wallabies. Team manager Mick Kearney revealed Bowe took a kick to the calf in Ireland’s 40-9 win over Samoa and is currently listed as ‘day-to-day’.

He said, “Unfortunately, Chris suffered a hamstring tear and Shane Jennings has been called in as a replacement… Jonny Sexton rested and rehabbed over the weekend and is expected to train fully and available for selection for the weekend. Keith has been slow to settle and won’t be available this week. He will continue to be monitored.”

Fitzgerald, who featured against France and Italy earlier this year, is in as training cover. Kearney did not mention Andrew Trimble’s name so the Ulster winger may be surplus to requirements.

Forwards coach John Plumtree was impressed with the impact Paul O’Connell and Sean O’Brien had off the bench. Both players showed no ill-effects from their playing stints at the weekend, with O’Brien scoring a try in a 55-minute showing off the bench.

Ireland are up to sixth in the world rankings following their weekend victory over the Samoans. However, as prop Mike Ross pointed out, the rankings can dramatically change with so many sides in the top 10 bunched so tightly.

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