Ireland winger Keith Earls sidelined with knee injury

Keith Earls was injured in Munster's match against Leinster in Dublin

Ireland winger Keith Earls will be out of action for up to six weeks after injuring a knee in Munster's Pro12 defeat by Leinster.

Earls, who can also play at centre or full-back, suffered the injury in the first minute at the Aviva Stadium.

The 24-year-old is set to miss the Heineken Cup meetings with Northampton and Castres and league meetings against Edinburgh and the Ospreys.

He will also be a doubt for a European double-header against the Scarlets.

A Munster statement read: "Keith Earls had a scan in Limerick that confirmed he has sustained medial ligament damage and will be out of action for four to six weeks."