Published Friday, 03 February 2012
Team manager Michael Kearney made the announcement on Friday.
"Unfortunately his baby has been taken ill and is in hospital as we speak," he said.
"The nature of the illness is unclear - however, I did speak to Keith this morning and he was hopeful and optimistic that the baby would get home sometime over the weekend."
Earls, 24, was picked for the line-up just days after his daughter Ella-Maye's birth and having played only a limited role in training for that reason.
But he has since spoken to coach Declan Kidney and the decision not to play was made on Thursday.
"It was thought that it was in the best interests of Keith, his partner and their families that Keith remain in Limerick for the weekend," Kearney added.
Fergus McFadden has been promoted from the bench to outside centre to plug the gap, with David Kearney drafted on to the bench.
Ireland take on Wales at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Sunday.
Ireland Team
R Kearney (Leinster); T Bowe (Ospreys), F McFadden (Leinster), G D'Arcy (Leinster), A Trimble (Ulster); J Sexton (Leinster), C Murray (Munster); C Healy (Leinster), R Best (Ulster), M Ross (Leinster), D O'Callaghan (Munster), P O'Connell (Munster, capt), S Ferris (Ulster), S O'Brien (Leinster), J Heaslip (Leinster). Replacements: S Cronin (Leinster), T Court (Ulster), D Ryan (Munster), P O'Mahony (Munster), E Reddan (Leinster), R O'Gara (Munster), D Kearney (Leinster).
Wales Team
L Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues); A Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), J Davies (Scarlets), J Roberts (Cardiff Blues), G North (Scarlets); R Priestland (Scarlets), M Phillips (Bayonne); R Gill (Saracens), H Bennett (Ospreys), A Jones (Ospreys), B Davies (Cardiff Blues), I Evans (Ospreys), R Jones (Ospreys), S Warburton (Cardiff Blues, capt), T Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons). Replacements: K Owens (Scarlets), P James (Ospreys), A Powell (Sale Sharks), J Tipuric (Ospreys), L Williams (Cardiff Blues), J Hook (Perpignan), S Williams (Scarlets).
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England).
Assistant referees: Dave Pearson and Stuart Terheege (both England).