Earls backed to bounce back for club and country

Keith Earls is now in the autumn of his career, just two Ireland caps shy of 100.

But he faces a battle to become just the eighth Irish player behind Johnny Sexton, Brian O'Driscoll, Ronan O’Gara, John Hayes, Cian Healy, Paul O’Connell and Rory Best to become a centurion.

Having made his debut in 2008, he is Ireland's top World Cup try-scorer and has 35 international tries.

And he started all five games the last time Ireland won the championship, the Grand Slam of 2018.

Only last summer he scored a try in the first Test against New Zealand and came on as a replacement as Ireland completed a series win in the final game.

However, injury problems ruled the Limerick man out of both the 2022 Six Nations and autumn internationals.

So now, at 35, he faces a battle to get back in Andy Farrell’s plans as Ireland bid for a Six Nations title.

He faces stiff competition from James Lowe and Mack Hansen, while Bundee Aki has been preferred on the bench, despite Earls’ ability to also play in the centre. Jordan Larmour and Jimmy O’Brien are also gunning for involvement.

But first Earls has to get back into the Munster panel, where he has been out of favour in recent times.

The 2009 Lions tourist played in the New Year derby win over Ulster but was absent for the Champions Cup ties against Northampton and Toulouse.

Having missed out on the match-day panels for both the Wales and France ties, and been released from Ireland’s mini-camp this week, Earls will be eager to get some game time on board against Ospreys in Friday evening's BTK URC clash (7.35pm).

Munster attack coach Mike Prendergast was asked about how Earls, who when fit, would not be accustomed to the roll of tackle-bag carrier, was reacting.

He told RTÉ Sport: "Naturally every professional player wants to play, but as I spoke about before, I was asked a question when he wasn't selected with us a few weeks back, how did he react and he reacted as I would have expected.

"He is an unbelievable professional, he is a real team-mate, so he wants to help out, help out younger guys.

"He is a guy who has huge experience and he passes that on within the video room but also on the pitch.

"He has done the very same for Ireland.

"He has vast experience, I think [two caps] short of 100, so he has been huge for Ireland over the last couple of weeks without obviously being on the pitch, but what he has brought to it and I know Andy would value that and we value him massively here."

It's easy to see why Earls is so highly regarded and even if he finds himself in competition with the likes of Liam Coombes (above) at Munster, he’s always on hand to pass on advice.

"He’s brilliant," enthuses the 25-year utility back.

"Even when I was in the academy the last few years, ever since I came into the system he’s been great.

"Earlsy is one of the best in the game and he’s given me countless tips on how he manages defensive systems and he’s really approachable."

International caps don’t come easy and Farrell knows there’s no room for sentiment at the top level, but only a fool would bet against Earls reaching the 100-cap milestone.

Ireland's next game is against Italy in Rome on 25 February.

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