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Rob Kearney and Jared Payne have both lost their fitness battles for Ireland’s crucial World Cup clash with Italy on Sunday.

Ireland know that their meetings with Italy and France should decide Pool D, with a potential quarter-final against Argentina in the offing.

There is another provincial axis in midfield with Ulster’s Darren Cave and Payne filling the centre berths, while Earls is joined in the back-three by Simon Zebo and Tommy Bowe, the only survivor from Ireland’s 43-12 victory over Romania back in November 2005.

Utilising the full depth of a 31-man squad has been a recurring mantra from head coaches at this Rugby World Cup and Joe Schmidt was no exception when he made wholesale changes for Ireland’s Pool D clash with Romania. Jonny Sexton is not part of this week’s squad.

The two sides meet at 5pm on Saturday as Ireland continue their build up to the World Cup in September.

Scrum-half Kieran Marmion has now been released too, to appear in Connacht’s pre-season battle against Castres this Friday night.