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.

Also back on the pitch in Cork yesterday — and hoping for a return against the Italian side — was hooker Niall Scannell, a month after hyper-extending his right elbow in training.

After the Treviso game, Munster go head to head with rivals Leinster at the Aviva Stadium on March 29 before their last-eight clash against four-time European champions Toulouse on April 5.

In addition to the return of Scannell and Earls, head coach Rob Penney will have also been relieved to see back rower Paddy Butler, and outside backs Ivan Dineen and Luke O’Dea come through their returns from injury in last Friday’s A game victory against Connacht Eagles.

Meanwhile Ulster back-row forward, Nick Williams, has returned to training following the conclusion of an internal disciplinary process in the province.