Earls: ‘The Body Is Good’

A lot can happen in the space of a sporting year. This time last season cruel fate rendered Keith Earls an interested onlooker as he rehabbed a patellar tendon that would keep him sidelined until January. Now, the Munster-man has become one of the outstanding players at this year’s Rugby World Cup.

From rehab to representation on the world stage, the 28 year old reflects on what a difference a year makes.

“It’s been unbelievable. It was a massive goal for me just to get back and play week by week. Then I had a goal of playing in the World Cup and it worked out perfectly for me.

“Getting into the 31-man squad, then the 23 and then the starting XV. I’m delighted. It’s important now that I do know my body and the coaches know my body and I got a bit of a rest.

“I’m happy at the moment. Hopefully there is plenty more to come. I’m very happy with my form.”

The wonderful form of Earls is reflected in the fact that he has started every game of Ireland’s World Cup campaign to date, showcasing his versatility in alternating between the left wing and outside centre. With last weekend’s bruising win over France ending the campaigns of the his fellow Munster-men Paul O’Connell and Peter O’Mahony, fans also feared the worst for the Myross native when he left the field on 62 minutes and had his arm iced on the sidelines before also sitting out Tuesday’s training session. However, Earls was there to quell any injury fears when speaking to media yesterday.

“The body is good. The coaches are just watching my load, my running metres and stuff. I’ve started all the games and done every training session so I sat down and watched. Had a bit of a break and let my body recover from the most physical game I played in my life.”

Unfortunately for his Young Munster club-mate O’Connell, Tuesday’s medical update was far less positive, ruling the Irish captain out for the remainder of the tournament and bringing his international playing career to a premature end.

“I was actually next to him when it happened on the pitch and I knew by the sounds of him that it wasn’t good. He has been massive. I know people have been saying plenty about him, but genuinely words can’t describe what he has done for the country, for me. He is a massive loss.”

“He won’t expect me to feel sorry for him,” said the back. “He will expect me to get back and please God try and get us through to a semi-final on Sunday.”

“It’s definitely getting more physical but injuries happen. I have been through my fair share and rugby is cruel, but there is nothing you can really do about it. You can’t prevent injury. It is a physical sport.

With Mathieu Bastareaud bringing plenty physicality to last Sunday’s proceedings, coupled with the deceptive running and handling of Wesley Fofana, it’s credit to a blossoming partnership between Earls and Robbie Henshaw that the French midfield got little change out of the Irish.

“I’ve played with Robbie twice now and we’re starting to know each other.

“The first time when you play it can be tough to find out what he likes and stuff and at the weekend we showed a small bit of what kind of partnership we could have.”

Earls will again hope to win inclusion in Ireland’s starting XV to face Argentina in the quarter-final of the Rugby World Cup at the Millennium Stadium this Sunday at 1pm.

Joe Schmidt will name his starting side at lunchtime tomorrow.