Just being on the pitch is what’s really important, says versatile Keith Earls

Wing, centre, full back? Keith Earls is now well used to the challenging question as to what his favourite position is, and his answer is somewhat different to what it might have been a few years ago.

“Look, I’m happy playing rugby, I’ve had a good eight or nine games under my belt, first time in a couple of years, so I’m very happy. Things haven’t changed with that question, have they? I’m happy to be on the pitch, that’s the main thing.”

Apart from getting plenty of provincial game time, Earls has also benefited, he says, from mixing with Joe Schmidt’s national side in the build up and throughout the successful Six Nations championship.

That he didn’t get national game time was obviously a disappointment but to be there at national training in itself made Earls happy enough.

“A lot of people asked me whether I was disappointed, obviously I was, but I was happy to be getting through a lot of work in the sessions with Joe (Schmidt), a lot of touches and it actually worked out well and in fairness to the lads (Irish), they were brilliant in the games they played.

“It was strange, although I went out every day to try and test the boys and make sure they were well prepared every week but if you haven’t played then most players would say that ultimately you couldn’t feel fully involved.”

Earls appears in flying form and hopes to continue that positive run when Munster take on Treviso at Musgrave Park tomorrow (3.05 pm).

Yet, he is not expecting anything easy from the battling Italians. “They’re a very physical team like all Italian sides, that’s an area we will have to match them but the main thing is to look after ourselves (our game) and hopefully we will get the result.”

As Munster bid to hold onto or strengthen their challenge for a top four Guinness Pro12 place, Earls is aware that taking the eye off the ball – a huge game will be the clash against Ulster in a fortnight – could be catastrophic.

“Anthony has us warned to keep an eye on only one match and that’s this weekend; we get the result this weekend and it will (only) put us in a good position for a top four finish, so I don’t think we dare talk of Ulster and Dragons. This is all about focusing on the Treviso game. It’s going to be each game as it comes, we have a break next week and we will look at Ulster then.”

Meanwhile Johnny Sexton’s younger brother Jerry has been handed a contract to stay with Exeter Chiefs following an impressive trial with the Devon club as cover for injured skipper Dean Mumm.

The 22-year-old lock forward, who also enjoyed a year with French outfit Auch, has impressed Exeter’s head coach Rob Baxter who handed him a contract to stay in England until the end of next season.

Sexton admitted there were other offers on the table but explained: “Rob spoke to me in February and said he wanted to keep me on for next year, I had offers from other clubs, but I never wanted to leave the Chiefs. As soon as the offer came in from Rob, it was a bit of a no-brainer because I just wanted to stay with Exeter and develop my career here.”

Sexton has also picked up a Premiership appearance against Gloucester in early January and was also a regular fixture for the Exeter Braves during another decent showing in this season’s A League.