THERE ARE STILL two positions in Ireland’s back-line which Keith Earls hasn’t found opportunity to have a go at.
Aside from the half-back roles, the Limerick man has filled each slot from midfield, to the wings and fullback. He has found varying degrees of success.
‘Utility back’ is not a term many players are keen to be associated with, no matter how valuable they can be to a coach.
Today, he will back in what most people accept is his best position. Left wing.
In the past Earls has claimed outside centre was his preferred destination, but for the now at least, he’s just ecstatic to be back in the starting line-up.
“It’s brilliant. You know some players take positions for granted. I’m just happy to be back in the team and I’m delighted, but unfortunately it’s through injury to Simon (Zebo), but I’ve my chance now and hopefully I can do the team justice.”
Up and down
He did that on his last outing, one of the few to find gaps in the English wall and break into space. Yet it turned out to be a fruitless exercise. At least today, he knows when his warm-up will end.
“You are always on edge when you are on the bench. Especially in the Welsh and English games with fellas getting knocks, but they are carrying on. So you are up and down off the bench.
“At least when you are starting you are kind of get stuck in straight away. Obviously I switch my focus to starting and looking forward to it.”
He added: “It was (frustrating against England), especially when we got back to 6-6 and we did a review of the game we had 30 turnovers and they had 10 – we are taking the positives out of it and it’s in our own hands now this week.”
At 25, most players at international level are just exiting the novice stage. But thanks to a spate of injuries only Rob Kearney and Brian O’Driscoll have more experience behind the scrum.
“It’s a bit weird, alright” Earls says, smiling with that distinctive lyrical Limerick accent, “being 25 and being one of the oldest. But it is great to see the young lads coming though. They are keeping us on our toes and they are bringing the fearless attitude into the game which is great.”
Still, Earls hints that some of the old guys may have some tricks up their sleeve too. Not least the former captain, the man he deputised for in this competition last year and played alongside in New Zealand.
“He’s feeling fresh and he’s buzzing.” Earls says after (we presume) joking that Brian O’Driscoll may yet play in another World Cup.
“It’s unbelievable, you get goosebumps watching (his performances) back. In my eyes he is one of the best rugby players to walk onto a pitch. He’s no fear and even the way he thinks about a game. He’s really intelligent.
Willing
“It does lift you because you know he is willing to do anything for the team and willing to do anything for you. It makes you do the same for him.”
Before the 80 minute mark is reached, O’Driscoll and Earls may well be joined on the field by their long-term team-mate. Ronan O’Gara must have endured a disappointing week, being kept in reserve as Paddy Jackson took his place in the queue for the number 10 shirt.
“He’s trying to take the positives out of it.” Earls says of his club-mate.
“He’s a competitive fella and I’m sure he won’t give up that number 10 jersey too easy, whether it’s Johnny (Sexton) or Paddy (Jackson).
“He’s been training well and in fairness to him he’s a good professional. He’ll get stuck in and when we do call on him I’m sure he will come on and do the business.”
Or, he may not. That’s the danger of only playing one position.
