Ireland will be without Keith Earls for this Saturday's opening November International against Samoa.

The Munster back has been ruled out of the game with knee tendinitis.

However, there is better news in relation to the rest of Joe Schmidt's injury concerns.

Cian Healy took part in training today, while Paul O'Connell, Sean O'Brien and Robbie Henshaw are all expected to take part in tomorrow's work-out, meeting the deadline that the head coach had set for players to prove their fitness.

Rory Best, Declan Fitzpatrick and Mike Ross have all fully recovered from their respective knocks.

Jonathan Sexton has also returned to camp fully fit, despite reports in the French press that he had picked up an injury before Racing Metro's game against Biarritz on Saturday.

©INPHO/Dan Sheridan