O’Driscoll glad starlet Earls taking it in his stride

IRELAND captain Brian O’Driscoll and coach Declan Kidney are satisfied that Keith Earls will be keen composed and ready when he wins his first international cap for Ireland against Canada at Thomond Park this evening.

“Keith’s acting like a 50-cap veteran and there’s no need to worry about him,” said O’Driscoll. “He’s a really, calm nice young fellow. He seems to take everything in his stride and while I’m sure there’s an underlying emotion there, he’s taking it all in and I believe he will play his own game and enjoy himself,”

Kidney joined in the praise for Earls and the manner he is making the best of a very special time.