Monye wary of Earls threat

Harlequins winger Ugo Monye has highlighted Keith Earls as the main threat to his side’s chances of progressing past Munster in Saturday’s Amlin Cup semi-final.

The 28-year-old England international has played against the Limerick man just once before, when England were beaten at home by Ireland in the 2010 Six Nations, a game in which Earls scored his first championship try.

However, having shared a room together during the Lions tour to South Africa the summer before, Monye is acutely aware of what Earls brings to the party, and is urging his team teammates to put the shackles on his former bunkmate. “For me, Keith was the one guy who developed most on that Lions tour, not just as a rugby player but also as a person,” says Monye.

“Obviously he was one of the youngest guys in the squad and didn’t have all that much international experience.

“It can be quite daunting going into that sort of tour environment; you are forced to come out of yourself.

“But the confidence which he was exuding by the end of the tour was really quite remarkable.

“Everyone knew he was talented, but he showed a side to his personality which perhaps people weren’t aware of.

“He is a tremendous character, very tough mentally, and he plays the game with exactly that attitude. He runs excellent hard lines, and because of his speed and awareness he can play just about anywhere in the back line. He is a very talented player, and a top bloke, and stopping him will be uppermost in our thoughts.”

Monye is one of the few Quins players to have been involved when his side last played Munster, and actually scored a try in their 18-10 defeat in January 2005.

He is expected to line out on the left wing this Saturday.

Article courtesy of the Evening Echo