Fitzgerald: I’ll help Earls answer Ireland’s call

LUKE FITZGERALD and Keith Earls might be on opposite sides of the fence in provincial rugby, but there will be no divide when Ireland take on Canada at Thomond Park today (5.15).

They have come through the Irish Schools structure as foot soldiers together, and Fitzgerald has pledged to help Earls make the transition from provincial to international rugby an easy one.

Fitzgerald’s career was fast-forwarded earlier (he has four international caps), but he is in no doubt that Earls is ready and that there will be no real need for any hand holding this afternoon.