Keith Earls: Ireland are not the same team that played under Joe Schmidt

Earls credits Schmidt with teaching him how to prepare for games in such a thorough way as to eliminate all doubt and nervousness from his mind

DIFFERENT SIDE: Keith Earls says Ireland are a different side now to the one that was coached by Joe Schmidt. Pic: INPHO/Dan Sheridan

The longer Keith Earls spoke on Monday the more it dawned that here, on a screen via a Teams meeting, was a man whose career sums up Ireland’s journey from poor relation to a point where they will take to the field for a World Cup quarter-final against the All Blacks as equals.

In a week sure to be crammed with hot takes and inexpertly disguised messages, this was one of Ireland’s most senior players walking us through the last 15 years. It clearly wasn’t the intention so much as the product of an honest appraisal and an ability to articulate his thoughts without complication or twist.