Earls keen to inspire new works of art

IN 2000 — the last time Ireland beat France in the Six Nations Championship in Paris — Keith Earls displayed his artistic talents, producing a fitting drawing to mark the occasion.

In art class the following Monday, the then 12-year-old decided to draw a caricature of Brian O’Driscoll scoring one of this three tries surrounded by three hapless Frenchmen – each of them crying their eyes out!

This week, as he prepares a Six Nations debut on Saturday, he is hoping he can contribute to a re-run of that memorable victory, the first in Paris since 1972 and, despite the odds against Ireland, he is looking forward to the prospect of taking on the French in their own backyard.