Twenty-two-year-old Earls looks a certainty to start on the left wing against the Springboks at GAA headquarters this weekend after bagging two tries in Ireland’s emphatic 41-6 victory over Fiji at the RDS on Saturday.
Earls made five appearances for the Lions in their summer tour to South Africa, scoring a brace of tries, but the Munster star would like nothing more than to pit his wits against the Springboks in a full Test match.
Earls said: “I would love to get an opportunity against the best team in the world.
“The Lions tour was disappointing in the end, losing two Tests, but we know they are there to be beaten.
“France defeated them last week, so it should be a good challenge.
“We just have to relax as we did against Fiji, take it as it comes. It’s going to be good.”
The Limerickman’s two tries against Fiji were beautifully taken and brought his try tally to an impressive three in just four outings for Ireland.
While admitting that his preference is for playing at outside-centre or at full-back, Keith Earls has comfortably slotted in on the left wing in the absence of the injured Luke Fitzgerald.
He said: “I’m just happy to be in the starting XV, but I don’t want to be known as a utility back. My preference is for outside-centre or full-back. All I can do is to perform as well as I can, irrespective of what position I’m asked to play.”
While Keith Earls scored two tries on Saturday the game also proved memorable for two more Limerick men.
Scrum-half Eoin Reddan returned to the Irish team, winning his 17th cap in the game. There was also a debut appearance for hooker Sean Cronin. The former Ardscoil Ris student, an AIL medal winner with Shannon who currently plays for Connacht, was introduced as a second half replacement for Jerry Flannery.
Experienced hooker Flannery should be available for Saturday’s clash with the Springboks despite requiring some attention to a nose injury.
The medical update on Munster back-row forward Denis Leamy is also encouraging. Following both X-rays and scans of his right ankle which he injured during the Fiji game Leamy’s injury is less serious than at first thought.
The Munster back-rower will undergo rehabilitation this week, but is not ruled out of selection for the South African tie at this point.
Meanwhile nine players have been added to the Ireland squad ahead of this weekend’s clash with Peter de Villiers South African side. They include Munster players Ronan O’Gara and David Wallace.
The Ireland team to face World champions South Africa at Croke Park and the A team to face the Argentine Jaguars at Tallaght on Friday evening will also be announced tomorrow.
Meanwhile the Munster A side made the best possible start to the new British and Irish Cup when recording a 20-13 bonus-point victory over Coventry at Butts Stadium on Friday night.
Munster A host another English Championship side, Bristol, in their first home game of the campaign at Nenagh Ormond RFC’s grounds this Friday night (7.30pm).
On the club front Limerick’s sole remaining representatives in the AIB Cup, Garryowen, advanced to the semi-final stage of the competition with a deserved 16-6 victory over Blackrock College RFC at Stradbrook on Saturday. Garryowen now face an away semi-final against the winners of the postponed Dolphin v Galwegians tie.
Colm Kinsella
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