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.

“There’s a couple of things I’d be very surprised about and I’d be hopeful that the likes of Earlsy are starting to get a run with the injuries,” said Holland.

“I know we stick up for our own boys but I reckon I can say with hand on heart that if I was picking the side I’d have Earlsy in my starting XV and Johne would be pushing there.

“Those are their decisions but from my point of view those two and ROG (Ronan O’Gara) would be in the same boat.”

Holland would like the number on Earls’ shirt to be 13, with the Munster man given a chance at outside centre, ideally with current occupant and captain Brian O’Driscoll moved to inside centre.

“I’d be tempted to push Drico in one and play Earlsy at 13 but that’s easy for me to sit here and say that,” Holland said. “But I wouldn’t mind seeing O’Driscoll and Earls in a centre partnership and at worst, Earlsy on the wing.

“I just think Earlsy gives a sharp acceleration at 13 and with O’Driscoll with all the skills he’s got, but maybe not quite as sharp as he used to be, possibly he could put Earlsy in some real space, I reckon.

“But it’s easy to sit back and pick someone else’s team. I know that from other people picking the Munster team.”

Holland also praised Murphy’s contribution to the Munster cause following his summer move from Leicester Tigers.

“Johne’s been huge for us, because as a new guy coming to a club you feel like you have to earn a bit of respect from the guys and get used to patterns and that but Johne’s come in from day one and he’s chatted up, he’s a great communicator, he’s got energy, he’s got a buzz and on top of that he’s playing some pretty good footy.

“I can’t speak highly enough of what he’s done, attitude-wise, what he can do on the field and every week that goes by when I’m with Johne my respect for him grows. I just wish that some of the national selectors could be around him day in, day out so that they could see what he’s got to offer.

“I think he’s very close to being involved in that national side if I was picking the side, anyway.”