Earls makes a startling recovery

LIONS star Keith Earls recovered from the type of injuries normally associated with being in a car crash a week ago to score his side’s second try in their nail-biting victory over the Free State Cheetahs on Saturday.
Highly-experienced Lions doctor, James Robson reckoned 21-year-old Earls suffered injuries similar to a seat belt in a car snapping across the chest when damaging his right shoulder at the clavicle region as a result of Royal XV prop Albertus Buckle landing heavily on him.


The collision injured Keith Earls’ shoulder in two places and left him with deep bruising in that area of his chest.
It was the sort of injury which Dr. Robson would have sent a player home from many of the previous tours he has been on, yet seven days later Earls scored a vital try in the 26-24 win over the Cheetahs.
“In the past, Keith would almost certainly have been off the tour.
“I really thought that he and Riki Flutey were going to be the first players out of Africa,” said Dr. Robson.
“Keith did phenomenally well to return to play on Saturday and score that try.
“He had the kind of collision injury you see in a car accident when a seat belt snaps across your chest.
“He damaged his shoulder joint and had very deep bruising across his chest.
“It is testament to his character, and the hard work of the physio Phil Pask, that he is still on the tour.
“Phil inflicted a huge amount of pain on the young man with some very deep muscle massage therapy.
“So, seeing him score the try was fantastic.
“The professionalism shown by the whole squad in their injury management is the best I have ever seen.
“Keith was having treatment about six times per day from first thing in the morning to last thing at night.
“It was very painful, deep massage on a very severe bruise.
“You could say that Phil Pask has helped to save Keith’s tour by the work he has done with him.”
The Lions continue their 10-match tour of South Africa with a game against the Sharks this Wednesday night at the ABSA Stadium (6.10pm).
Members of the Castletroy College senior squad are set to be present in the ABSA Stadium to cheer on the side. Thirty players and ten coaches from the school have embarked on a three-week tour of South Africa which will see the Limerick side play five matches.
The students will get the chance to attend three of the Lions touring games, the Sharks in Durban this Wednesday, the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth as well as the Emerging Springboks in Cape Town.
Meanwhile Magners League champions Munster have lined up three glamour pre-season friendlies against top class English opposition for August.
Munster will take on old rivals the Sale Sharks at Musgrave Park on Friday, August 14 before facing Guinness Premiership finalists London Irish at the same venue seven days later.
Munster will complete their programme of pre-season friendlies with an away fixture against Heineken Cup finalists Leicester Tigers at Welford Road on Friday, August 28.
In the lead-up to the three friendlies, Munster will have a week-long pre-season training camp in Portugal.
The camp, which begins on Wednesday, August 5, will be held at the Browns Sport & Leisure Club in Vilamoura.

Colm Kinsella