Holland makes case for Earls inclusion

KEITH EARLS should be handed a starting spot in Ireland’s team to face Argentina on Sunday, believes Munster backs coach Jason Holland.

Holland, who played for Ireland head coach Declan Kidney in Munster’s 2000 Heineken Cup final defeat and was on his coaching staff for the 2006 triumph, has been surprised at the lack of opportunities handed to both Earls and Johne Murphy during the current autumn international series — even more so that Murphy was sent back to his province for tonight’s Magners League clash at the Dragons in Newport.

Kidney today names his side to face the Pumas at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday and such are the injuries in his squad after three bruising Tests this month that Earls, who came on as a late substitute against New Zealand last Saturday, should be handed a jersey.