JUST AFTER THE half-hour mark in Munster’s defeat to Leinster on 27 December, Thomond Park fell into a deeply concerned hush.
The silence was eerie.
Keith Earls lay prone on the ground after his neck collided with the leg of Eoin Reddan just as the Munster wing had offloaded out of Luke Fitzgerald’s tackle.
The worry all around the Limerick stadium was that 28-year-old Earls had suffered a serious injury, either to his head or the neck region. One can only imagine how the Munster man’s family and friends felt, and Earls himself says it was a scary few minutes.
“I’m good now,” says Earls. “It wasn’t too serious thankfully. Whatever way I landed, I think I hit Redser’s shin and I heard a crack in my neck and thought about my kids straight away. I said, ‘I better lay still here.’
“The lads got out to me then and went through a few bits and I could move my hands. I didn’t have any weird feelings, just a small bit of tightness in my chest, but I think that was more like a panic attack after hearing the crack in my neck.
Thankfully everything was fine. I told them I was fine and could I get up but they said, ‘No, once you’ve heard a crack we’re not going to let you get up.’ I went out and got x-rays and I literally was showering with some of the lads then [following the game].”
The image of Earls back in the Munster changing room after having been taken to Limerick Regional Hospital were warmly greeted by supporters who know the injury pain Earls has been through in his career.
Earls admits he was shook up by the incident, but also jokes that his father, Ger, was quick to slag him when it transpired that all was well.
“Yeah, a bit embarrassed as well,” says Earls. “The auld man wasn’t happy when there was nothing wrong with me!”
Whatever about the joking within the family, Earls underlines that he feared the worst when he heard the crack in his neck.
He is now back in full training with Munster and is expected to start Saturday’s Champions Cup meeting with Stade Français, but the initial negative thoughts were that he was facing a far lengthier recovery.
“Yeah it was, it was scary hearing the crack,” says Earls. “As I said, I just thought of my family straight away and thankfully my father, if he had hair he would have lost it. I could see when he came down to see me he was devastated. I gave them all a bit of a fright but thankfully it was all good.”
Earls greatly appreciated the rousing cheer Munster and Leinster “came together” for as he exited the pitch, while his thumbs up on the stretcher was a welcome sign for fiancée Edel and Earls’ daughters.
“My fiancée wasn’t at the game,” says Earls. “One of the kids were at home sick with a chest infection so she wasn’t at the game. It was just to let them know I was ok.”
Aside from scans clearing Earls of anything potentially serious in the neck area, there was also relief in that fact that he missed only one game and is now back in full training.
Earls’ extensive injury history is well documented, but he is now on a lengthy run without any major spells on the sidelines. Indeed, he appears to be more confident in his athletic ability than at any point in his career.
It’s great,” says Earls. “I came back last year in January and I am going nearly a full year, which is great. I suppose I have gotten to know my body. With the knee, it kept breaking down but I have gotten to know my body now.
“If I have an issue now I will say it to the coaches, ‘Look, I need to sort this out, I don’t want to be training half injured.’ Thankfully, I haven’t even had to do that, so I have complete faith in my body now which is great.”
The result has been some of the best form of his career too, with Earls breaking Brian O’Driscoll’s try-scoring record at World Cups for Ireland last year when he scored three and started all five games under Joe Schmidt.
He was back in Ireland camp earlier this week for a 24-hour stint under Schmidt at Carton House, but explains that he had feared missing out on the World Cup altogether at one point.
“I was delighted. When I got my knee done and came back in January, you are setting goals and they are all kinda small goals just to get me through the rest of the season.
“Then, when I came back that summer, I had goals to get into Joe’s 30-man squad, give myself the best opportunity to make that squad and then into his 23 and then into his starting XV. It all came good for me.
But it goes back to having confidence again in my body. I had a great routine with my weights and rehab-wise and studying my detail. It just let me play on the weekend then, which was great.”
Earls must now pick up where he left off against Leinster before the neck injury, creating openings for Munster as they look to ramp up their attacking effectiveness against Stade Français on Saturday.
Lose and Munster’s European knock-out hopes are extinguished. A fit, confident Earls will be key.
“The pressure is on,” says the Limerick man. “It’s a new and big pressure for the squad that we have right now. Probably a couple of years ago Munster would have been used to it but this is probably, for this squad, the biggest game of our Munster careers.”
Ringrose was solid against Munster . Skinning a second row and stepping inside an open side who was covering 2 players doesn’t make him a starter against Wales as some are suggesting . Step back and give the lad time .
Agree 100%, he looks to have potential but needs to earn a regular starting spot at Leinster first. To be fair he is going about that well.
To be fair that’s not ALL he did. His tackling technique looks really solid and he’s good at chopping players down, whereas Sexton goes too high too often. He was also standing out wide, arm up, screaming for the ball. I really don’t get the conservatism though. If Schmidt and the management think he can do it, then out him bloody in. Same goes for any Ulster back.
What planet are you on , this kid has not even played a full ECC game yet , he scored a very good try in the first 3 minutes against which is now a very average munster side, what did he do in the last 77 minutes that warrants an international starting spot ? What do you think will happen when he comes up against Lesley fofana, Jamie Roberts , do you or anyone else realize the step up to international level? He plays 1 half decent game and straight away he is a starting Irish international in some Leinster fans eyes , if he is this good how come he didn’t start against toulon ? I will tell you why and Leo Cullen knows it too , he would have been pulverized by bastuerau a co and that’s a fact , so if Leo won’t start him against a very strong club side what chance will he have playing against a country , he
is a great prospect but he will need to play a bit more top level club rugby before he takes the next big step up , good luck to the young man
I stopped reading after you said he scored a really good try. He didn’t. It probably didnt get any better after. As for your crap before that, I didn’t say I’d start him. I said if Schmidt and the management think……. If I was picking the team, I’d have McCloskey there, but I’m not picking the team.
Agree, McCloskey has been knocking on them door of the squad for much longer
It’s experience that Ringrose needs. Throw him into the firing pan!
Please god let heenan get through this game unscathed and get a decent run without injury. The poor lad has been plagued!!
Great to see Heenan back
All this talk about henshaw leaving I’d be more worried about pat lam, his stock must be sky high right now I’m sure offers will be on the table soon
Been over this chestnut. Seemingly he has already resigned
Re-signed or resigned? Bit of a difference
Re-signed, check the Galway papers.
Ringrose should start every game at 13 with Fitzgerald at 12. No need to play and develop Te’o any further given he’s leaving in the summer. If Cullen was smart he’d try build a starting XV with a lot of young players who will be the next generation of Leinster & Irish rugby : Moore , Furlong , McGrath, L.McGrath , Ringrose , Van Der Flier , Ruddock , Molony etc
I’d rather win the league with the best team available and let the young players that are good enough fight for a shirt and if playing well keep the shirt.
Fitzgerald could probably do with a rest. He has been excellent this season but he does have fitness worries. Although, I’d be happier to see him play tomorrow and sit out meaningless European games
IMO henshaw staying at Connacht is the best for everyone. Grows the game in Connacht and attracts more youth players in the Connacht branch who want to become the next henshaw and increases ticket sales much to the benefit of the irfu, and with ringrose coming through Leinster won’t be hard pushed for a 13 in years to come. Connacht can become seriously competitive in the pro 12 as well so henshaw wouldn’t need to leave for success if he really wants it, he’ll do his best to bring it to Connacht.
What most people don’t seem to want to consider is what’s best for henshaw? What does he want?
If he wants to compete at the sharp end of European competition, then he’s going to have to move somewhere. Despite their terrible start this year, Leinster have a much stronger panel of players then Connacht. Just hope his head isn’t turned by big offers from England and/or France.
Absolutely Chris. Has the OP actually asked Henshaw what he wants to do? Maybe…..just maybe….he wants to play for Leinster!!!!
Henshaw had ruled out a move off the island
It’s Leinster or Connacht at this stage
Possibly a one extension at Connacht would be best for all concerned?
That’s good news at least reg
What some Leinster fans don’t seem to want to consider is why any smart player from the provinces would want to sign for a club that is clearly going through a transitional period.
But sure what difference does that make? If Henshaw wants to come, that’s all that matters. Should we say to him, “look, we’re flattered by your interest, but we are in transition now and think you shouldn’t come. “
I think people seem to be missing that subtle, but important point, when it comes to players transfering between provinces: ” What the player wants….” If Henshaw doesn’t want to move to Leinster he wont. If he does want to move to Leinster he will. Strikes me that he has already made up his mind and he will likely join Leinster in the near future. For better or worse it will be his decision.
There is a lot of potential for Ireland at the centre. Bundee Aki aims to play for Ireland, he admitted as much when he joined Connacht and he re-confirmed his desire just a few weeks ago.
Big fan of Henshaw, I think he’ll be awesome where ever he goes.
Does Henshaw actually want to go to Leinster that is an assumption or is it an open secret?
If henshaw moves to Leinster, then we can safely assume he wanted to go. If he stays at Connacht, then we can safely assume he wanted to stay. The player has the final decision. Why is this so hard to understand?
Because that is an assumption and not a fact.
Fitzgerald is being rested.
Happy to see McGrath starting. Hopefully Sexton can put in a performance worthy of his stature.
Prob Leinster’s best front five at the moment. Love Ruddock he will make a great captain for years to come. Big games needed out of Murphy, Sexton and the Kearneys but if they all show up Leinster should have too much at home.
Furlong > Moore
Ruddock will be a serious captain in years to come… He’s a purists no.6.. Hits a massive amount of rucks, get up the field to link play on breaks and very rarely lets anyone through in defence… One of the few standouts in the 2 Toulon games. Let’s just hope he gets enough rest to be fresh for the 6N.
Jordi Murphy must be feeling the pressure, His stock has plummeted since the World Cup . I even rate Dom Ryan as a better abrasive 6 then him.
Hopefully number 8 will suit him better
The Leinster back row pecking order should be:
6. Ruddock
Ryan
Murphy
7. O’Brien
Van Der Flier
Ruddock
Murphy
8. Conan
Heaslip
Murphy
O’Brien
John right up until you rated Conan above heaslip I shredded with you.
It pisses me off when people are always underrating heaslip. He is always solid and never gets injured. What more could you want!!
No I think number 8 has to be cj standers. All do Munster have been awful this year he has been the outstanding 8 in the country and probably the whole of the pro 12
The one thing to be admired about Heaslip is that he’s so injury free. I imagine that’s why the French clubs rate him so highly, he can play in far more games a season than any of his rivals.
Robbie he shaw will be able to get a good look at his new team . He will take over from teo . I wish he shaw was playing though
Wouldn’t it be poetic justice, if Connacht win and henshaw signs his new Connacht contract next week.
Is there a possibility that Henshaw ha been biding his time to see how the Connacht team is shaping up for net year
Previous announcements and now Healy signing on for 2 more years the team is looking more stable than it has in a long time
Henshaw would be foolish to leave now.
I do predict a lot more sponsorship deals coming his way if he is to stay at Connacht
I’d love if Henshaw stayed in Connacht but I’ve heard from a very reliable source that he’s gone “sale agreed” to Leinster.
Henshaw is staying at Connacht sure why would u want to move to Leinster or Munster when pat lamb is the best provincial coach in the country;!!
Competition in connachts back row is really going to heat up now heenan is back in contention
With a five day turnaround squad rotation was always going to be key. We are blessed with a quality squad and thankfully with few injuries. Back row was key in Thomond last week and this back row looks just as handy. Hopefully they go well (they will have to as they are up against one of the most under rated irish players, Muldoon). Hope too our defence is a good as against Munster last weekend. Connacht are plagued with injuries but they can still put out an impressive back line even without Henshaw. Hope the weather stay a bit calm as this has the makings of a cracker.
A very good Leinster squad but once again rotation for the sake of rotation. I’d rather pick your best side and make small adjustments here and there due to form, injury and rest.
Agreed. The team that started against Munster was as close to our best starting XV
MacGinty should probably be starting over Carty at this stage
Is Heaslip dropped altogether? I know plenty of people don’t rate him but I thought he put in one of his better displays againdt Munster.
Just being rested I imagine.