'You can’t have a normal week because it’s not a normal week'
Keith Earls has admitted it will be a mixture of relief and pride to reach 100 Ireland caps after fearing injury issues may cause him to fall short of the milestone. Munster wing Earls is poised to become only the ninth Irishman to achieve a century of Test outings ahead of Saturday’s World Cup warm-up clash with England in Dublin.
The 35-year-old went more than a year without an international appearance amid fitness problems before being recalled by head coach Andy Farrell for the 33-17 win over Italy on August 5.
“I’m trying not to think about it but talking to Andy about if it does happen, he’s telling me: ‘It’s not just another cap, you can’t have a normal week because it’s not a normal week’,” said Earls.
“It would be a massive honour but also just a bit of relief because I was stuck on 98. I suppose in the last couple of years I was genuinely thinking every time I stepped onto the field it could be the last time. I’d be extremely proud and privileged to join a unique group.”
Earls is set to move alongside Ireland greats Brian O’Driscoll, Ronan O’Gara, Rory Best, Paul O’Connell and John Hayes in reaching three figures, in addition to current teammates Cian Healy, Johnny Sexton and Conor Murray.
He featured in two of his country’s three Tests during last summer’s victorious tour of New Zealand but was then sidelined for autumn victories over South Africa, Fiji and Australia and this year’s Guinness Six Nations Grand Slam success.
Earls believes he has enjoyed the best pre-season of his career as he attempts to secure a spot at his fourth World Cup. Asked if there were times during the past 12 months when he thought his Ireland days may be over, he replied: “Yeah, especially with the talent coming through and the way some of the lads are playing and my injury history last year.
“But I just kept the head down and I’m grateful. I have a great relationship with Andy and great trust with Andy and we will always be honest with each other. I genuinely have probably had my best pre-season this year as a professional rugby player.
“We have got everything spot on between all the training, physios, coaches, so it has been really enjoyable. I suppose there is that bit of pressure as well because you want to repay them [the coaches] as well but Andy’s just big on allowing us to be ourselves and not blowing things up too much or trying anything special.
“It’s just be yourself and if you are special, you’re special, but it gives you great confidence, especially as an old winger.”
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Free to air is the key to fan expansion. I attended last weeks game at Suncorp (Reds v Blues) and the total cost is prohibitive to most people that wish to attend. Two tickets $130, parking (event day gouging) $75, road tolls $20, dinner beforehand $130, plus some petrol and a beer inside the stadium and a single game starts to cost $300-400. Who can afford that week in week out, I’d love to go more but could only afford this one game to see the Blues, I’d have loved to have seen more NZ teams here but I’d need to stop eating or sell a kidney.
Go to commentsBrumbies are looking good and if they keep their home form up a final is not beyond the realms of possibility. They showed against the Hurricanes exactly how clinical they can be as they absorbed pressure in that contest while also scoring points and applying their own pressure. Reds are well placed as well but need to find consistency. They are building a longer term project with a young side and plenty of quality players. Been surprising to see the strength of Aussie sides this year after the debacle of the world cup. Have NZ sides gotten weaker? Have Aussie sides gotten stronger? A bit of both I would say. Whatever the case its good to see some actual competition between NZ and Aus sides again and thats exactly what the fans wanted and is probably driving better viewership numbers. All of this can only be healthy for Aus and Super Rugby and I hope the Brumbies go all the way.
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