Earls back in training after injury torment

Keith Earls has given Munster a boost in the build-up to their Heineken Cup quarter-final showdown with Toulouse in three weeks by returning to training for the first time since January.

The Ireland wing, who has not played a Test match for 12 months due to different injuries, missed the entire Six Nations campaign after suffering medial ligament damage in his left knee during Munster’s final Heineken Cup pool game against Edinburgh, at Thomond Park on January 19.

After six weeks on the sidelines Earls, 26, returned to training yesterday as his province went back to work ahead for their RaboDirect Pro12 home clash against Treviso in Limerick on March 22.