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.