Keith Earls is ready if Lions come calling

There were a few mobile phones on full charge over in New Jersey last weekend, but to my mind the one who is closer than them all to Lions form is Keith Earls, writes Ronan O’Gara. 

One week shy of a year ago, Racing 92 won an emotionally draining Top 14 final in the Camp Nou. It feels like the never-ending season is coming to a close and yet the three Lions tests in New Zealand are still ahead of us. The rugby season is so long now you feel like you’re lapping yourself at the end of it.

It was an energising stint with the Irish squad in America but at the end of a long, long season, I found myself with a snotty nose on the flight home with the injured Joey Carbery and Enda McNulty. Too many airplanes and airports.