Earls: We are due a big game
Earls has been frustrated at lack of opportunity and at Ireland’s handling errors over the last 160 minutes of championship rugby, but he is convinced his side is just a whisker away from producing a blitzing win.
“We know we’re way better (than we have shown) and that we can give anyone in the world a game if we just make those simple passes and catches.
“It has been frustrating but we’ve just got to get on with it. We scored three tries and that’s a massive positive to take away from playing France but it was just silly mistakes that cost us.
“We’re due a massive performance. We’ve people getting into the right places and you could see against France that we had them under the cosh for a good bit when we held onto the ball. I think this weekend is going to be massive for us.”
Although Earls saw little of the ball against France, he almost helped snatch victory with a run, chip and chase in the dying seconds; that Ireland failed to score was another matter for regret.
“That’s the bounce of the ball, isn’t it? I just got the ball and their winger was on the touchline, so I chipped it over and I was going to tackle Medard but he took his eye off it for a split second which meant I (maybe) tackled him without the ball. I knew I had support there with Jamie and I thought he’d get in but it was good scrambled defence out of France.”
The return of Ronan O’Gara to the pivotal number 10 position will pose different challenges for the remainder of the back division.
“Obviously I’m very used to playing with Ronan; when he came on in the last couple of games, he changed it up a bit. They’re different players, two great players, but I probably understand Ronan (through experience) a bit more. Still, the competition is great with both of them; they’re (probably) bringing the best out in each other.
“As far as (O’Gara’s) cross kicks are concerned, you always have to be alert to Rog; if you’re not out on your wing (most of the time), he’ll be giving out.”
Equally, Earls knows the modern winger can’t spend much time just waiting for things to happen. He cites the case of England’s new prolific try scorer, Chris Ashton.
“Watching Ashton, and (Mark) Cueto, the two of them aren’t actually playing like wingers; they’re always in or around the rucks. He’s been interesting to watch as a specialised winger. It’s always good to get tips; he’s always running off (Toby) Flood and the likes of Mike Tindall so you’d learn a bit off that. I suppose in a sense, we did something similar, I mean Fergus (McFadden) got a pick and go try against France. I’d say (these days) most of the lads would feel it doesn’t matter what number is on your back so you just go in and do the work.”
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