KEITH EARLS IS IN a good place at the moment.
Earls was wheeled out to face the media at Ireland’s new base in Guildford yesterday with the in-form winger greeting each member of the press with a firm handshake and a smile.
You get the feeling he is thoroughly enjoying this environment not to mention a decent run of games. After two injury-ravaged seasons, Earls made his first appearance under Joe Schmidt in Ireland’s 35-21 win over Wales in the pre-World Cup warm-up series. He impressed throughout August and has caught the eye during the opening victories against Canada and Romania
“Yeah, I’ve been enjoying this since January,” said Earls on his recent run of form. “I’m enjoying being back playing and being injury-free. It’s been good, thank God, it’s been great.
“I’m just focusing on myself. Focusing on my strengths and not focusing on trying to be like other players or anything like that.
“Obviously the big focus is on my body. I’m 24-7 trying to look after it. I’ve no niggles, I’ve nothing, which is great. I’m getting my work done early in the week regarding our moves and stuff, our game-plan, and I just seem more relaxed at the weekend.”
Certainly, Earls looks a far more powerful unit this season. There was a moment during the clash with Canada where Earls barged through the attempted tackle of full-back Matt Evans.
“It was good, it’s usually the opposite way around!” Earls remarked. “I haven’t done that since school, I think. It was just a reaction out of me. I surprised myself because he was coming in at a good speed and I just sort of braced myself.
“I haven’t bulked up or anything like that. I don’t lift as heavy as I can anymore, or that I used to be able to in the gym.
“I was lifting big in the gym years ago trying to get up to 94/95 kg and I kept breaking down. So we’ve spoken to the lads in Munster and spoken to Jason Cowman and we found a programme that’s good for me. Literally, it might be just doing one weights session a week and then the rest is on the rehab and looking after myself.”
Around this time four years ago, Earls crossed for a brace of tries against Italy in Dunedin as Ireland cruised to a 36-6 win to secure top spot in Pool C at the 2011 World Cup.
Earls was celebrating his 24th birthday that night and will turn 28 on Friday. The Azzurri will provide the opposition once again at the Olympic Stadium on Sunday. They might not be the force they were at the previous World Cup in New Zealand, but Earls is taking nothing for granted against Jacques Brunel’s side.
“Every time we’ve played against Italy, it’s been aggressive. You see them during the national anthem. Well, when I’ve been watching them the last two years in the Six Nations, they’re really passionate; some of them are crying. They love playing for the jersey and they’re big men as well. The last time I played them, I did my shoulder. So, I’m sure it’s going to be physical. It’s going to be a tough game.”
Earls will have a room to himself in Guildford this week. The Moyross man was rooming with Paul O’Connell in the build-up to the Romania match.
So, what’s it like sharing a room with the Irish skipper? Netflix? Xbox? A game of cards?
“The TV doesn’t go on in our room,” Earls added. “He might do a bit of reading, I do a bit of reading and we chat about the old days.
“He’s played with my father (Ger), I’ve been around Paul when he was playing with Young Munster and I travelled on buses as a young lad. We’d talk about the characters that were in Young Munster.”
All seems well with Earls, long may it continue.
Keith- The Earl of Thomond.
While we are doing the tabloids headline writing for them: The Flight of the Earls
That’s was out for the 2011 World Cup after one of his tries against Italy. Get with the programme Johnny!
I’d go with Dave Keaney over Earls myself. Red Thumb for Dave Kearney, Green Thumb for Earls. (my work here is done)
or just abstain….
Red Thumb for Johnny Fitz doesn’t have a sense of humour, Green thumb for Johnny Fitz has no sense of humour.
or just abstain…
Interesting stuff- shows it’s about training smart not just heavy and hard. Good on ya Keith.
It’s great that we’re able to have these debates around the wings, things seemed to have fallen a bit flat in these positions coming into the tournament but now we looking in good shape.
favourite player. perfect mix of class and class
I’d trust bowe more against france. Big game player
True how would earls manage with Bastareaud coming at him
Different wings.
Different positions saucepan
Just saw your post Cian. Sorry for repeating your point
So he’s not going to cross paths all game?
So they’ve no chance of crossing paths in the whole game then do they?
Weren’t talking to you ninny.
Saucepan, love it
neenee, guess which part of the pitch a centre usually occupies, then guess which part a wing usually occupies and then realise that they would not cross paths often enough for it to be an issue
The only spark we have in the back line he has to start end off !
Earls played very badly in quater final against wales in 2011. Admittedly he has improved a huge amount but bowe is a proven big game player. Earls is grand when you give him space and tell him to run
Sexton played very badly at Rwc2011 when his successful goalkicking was around 40%.Perhaps we should drop him just in case a match from 4 year’s ago has any relevance to the future? interesting that you ignore the fact that Earl’s was the leading Irish try scorer at Rwc2011.
Are you joking?! Earls was the one that kept us in that quarter final with his try and as much as I hate saying it Bowe was at fault for Philips try that killed us off. This is all from memory because I couldn’t face watching that game since.
The Savlon is in aisle 2 Gareth.
Thanks Cian. Congrats on your dream job
Awh…. diddums.
Cian, unlike you, I don’t go on the internet to wind people! I would prefer Bowe in big games and the Sexton comment was obviously not serious.
Bowe and Earls play on opposite wings is the point. You can have both.
Yes drop sexton too
We should bring in Cathal Marsh. (is that his name?)
True gent. You can’t beat breeding #sandra+Gerard