Earls sustained medial ligament damage in his left knee at the start of that game and will be out of action for four to six weeks.

He joins a considerable injury list for the province which is headed by the likes of David Wallace (knee), Felix Jones (ankle), Jerry Flannery (back/calf) and Mike Sherry (ankle).

If John Hayes gets some game-time against Northampton, last season's beaten finalists, the veteran prop will become the first player to make 100 appearances in the Heineken Cup.

Meanwhile, the Munster 'A' British & Irish Cup squad will not be named today with the necessity to confirm two matchday squads over the next two days.

MUNSTER Squad (v Northampton Saints) - Backs (13): Conor Murray, Tomas O'Leary, Peter Stringer, Duncan Williams, Ronan O'Gara, Ian Keatley, Scott Deasy, Johne Murphy, Doug Howlett, Danny Barnes, Will Chambers, Lifeimi Mafi, Denis Hurley.

Forwards (16): Marcus Horan, Wian du Preez, BJ Botha, John Hayes, Stephen Archer, Damien Varley, Denis Fogarty, Donnacha Ryan, Paul O'Connell, Donncha O'Callaghan, Mick O'Driscoll, Billy Holland, Peter O'Mahony, Niall Ronan, James Coughlan, Denis Leamy.