JUST A MONTH into his 30s, Keith Earls understandably calls it ‘bizarre’ when he looks at the age profile of Ireland’s squad and realises he’s firmly in the category marked old heads.
The Munster wing put down some stellar form during Ireland’s summer tour of the US and Japan and has barely eased off the pedal in the early weeks of the new season.
Just as well, because even in the absence of Simon Zebo there is talent and pace in the form of Darren Sweetnam, Jacob Stockdale and Adam Byrne to keep complacency far from his door.
“It’s where I am in my career, I’m the older fella, it’s quite bizarre. The young fellas are keeping us on our toes. Rather than us asking all the questions they are coming to us and asking questions on bits of detail.”
That said, weeks like this tend to give Earls the same fire in the belly and bouts of nerves that he has felt since making his Test debut (almost exactly) nine years ago. Running out for a 63rd cap against South Africa this weekend, Earls will be a much more complete player, but no less enthusiastic.
“Oh yeah! Any time you get called into an Irish squad or to play for Ireland, it’s brilliant.
“I came into it when I was a young lad, I’m in the 60s with caps now and you still get excited with matchweek and you still get nervous about whether you get selected. It’s a brilliant time and hopefully I’ll get another opportunity.”
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One of the older fellas, but he’s zipping about the place like a young lad. He actually looks like he’s picked up some pace.
@Conor Paddington: Lost muscle weight, got faster and injured less. There’s a lesson there.
Has been the best finishing wing we’ve had in ages. Pity about that spell in the centre, it set him back a little, still has the ability to go down as one of our best ever wingers. Next two seasons could be massive for him.
Early is a class act. On another note he is always saying fellas. Ha ha
I think once he got over not being a centre and concentrated his efforts on being the best he can as a winger then we’ve seen the very best of him. His form for Ireland over the last couple of seasons has been exceptional. Must start against SA and Argentina.
He’s always been top class for Ireland. Well deserving of his wing spot. Good to see him have such a successful Ireland career after his father was wrongly overlooked because of where he came from
If Keith improved defensively he would be our greatest ever winger. I would love to see it happen. He comes across as a nice man.
@Ned Flanders: don’t think his defence is suspect , I think he was moved around too much and wrongly encouraged to bulk up . He has slimmed down and his handwork has improved . The rest he always had , evasiveness , speed and guts .
@Paul K Murphy: was about to chime in with the exact same. Unsurprisingly his defence doesn’t match up when he’s played out of position in one of the most difficult to defend positions in the park, but he’s positionally fantastic on the wing and puts in some fantastic hits. People loke to use the Argentina game to individually criticise Earls, RK, DK and Madigan depending on who yhey want to bash.
@Ned Flanders: What could he improve defensively? He has tried the physical option and got hurt. Would like to see him learn to shepherd players using the sideline as an extra man. Ankle tackles for big opposing players and most importantly target loose carries from big opposition players. I don’t think l have ever seen him strip a player in an Irish shirt. Forwards and very big backs are so focused on running over him sttripping is the last thing they expect.
@Christiaan Theron: Furthermore I would really like to see him kick down his channel like what Zebo can do.
@Ned Flanders: When you say “our” do you mean Munster or Ireland? Because he doesnt come close to a younger Tommy Bowe.
@Conor Paddington: those few years of debate about if he was a wing/fb/centre held him back a little bit, plus a couple of years with injury.
When he came on to the scene he had blsitering pace. Bulking up took that away as well but he is back to his best and in his prime.
Great player if he takes on a ‘leadership’ role now it will really embed him in the team.
Man crush Monday
@PScald: No it’s just another Sean Farrell article as opposed to the quality of Murray.
@Christiaan Theron: it’s me who has the man crush Christiaan.. We are all lamenting the loss of Murray but go easy on Seanie.. every publication needs their best writers.. I think the 42 need Bailey and Casey to step up to the plate.. but what the f**k do I know.. I can hardly spell halph the time
@Martin Quinn: Let’s be clear Martin he’s in form which can said more than the Kearneys. Who Larmour and Rory should be in for. I made the mistake of writing Earls off many moons ago. Which I won’t do again. I think his defense needs work but not what’s others think. In comparison to a mid field of McCloskey and Farrell he’s tiny but I don’t think he can hit like they can. Shepherding a ball carrier, targeting a ball carrier for a strip as well as kicking down his channel are the skills he needs to work.on.
@PScald: Tbh. I would like to read an interview from Fez on the structures that would improve Ulster. Let’s be clear despite the naysayers Munster and Leinster are on the up and up but Ulster are nowhere near par where they should be and the Ulster fans are not happy. We are not happy and Fez has something to say and we want to hear it.
@Christiaan Theron: Try watching his debut for Ireland if you wonder about his channel kicking ability. If memory serves me he scored a kick chase of his own making at the north end of Thomand. Now I’ve been kicked in the head a lot so long term memory is a little fuzzy.
@Tony Walsh: That was too long ago. He needs to be doing it now.
One of Ireland’s greatest ever wingers. His father the best player never to get capped for Ireland. Real rugby people. Thomond RFC, Young Munster RFC. A bit too “working class “ for some.
Saw Keith Earls play for the U-20s v Scotland at Falkirk 10-12 years ago and he was the outstanding player on the pitch – scoring tries and making try saving tackles. Next saw him playing for Ulster(!) at the Melrose sevens. Class player.