Passing baton to new generation but Keith Earls still eyes starting brief

The Munster star came off the bench against Japan and New Zealand

Ireland's Keith Earls tackles Sevu Reece of New Zealand. Picture: INPHO/Ken Sutton

With just 162 minutes of game time of the clock so far this season, Keith Earls is more than ready to swap the Ireland bench for a starting role against Argentina this Sunday.

Despite not starting either game, the Munster back has finished the hugely encouraging victories of the past fortnight over Japan and New Zealand that saw Andy Farrell’s squad confirm their emergence as a force to be reckoned with once again on the Test stage.