‘Keith Earls is a top-class human being, a legend of a bloke’ says Johnny Sexton

It was Sexton who was ultimately asked to sum up what the Limerick legend had brought to Irish rugby over a long and illustrious career.

LEGEND: Keith Earls of Ireland before the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final match between Ireland and New Zealand at the Stade de France in Paris, France. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Retirements are rarely satisfying. Some players are happy to leave the life behind them but for those still operating at a high level and in an elite team they must be the most difficult of partings.

Johnny Sexton did at least get to see out his days on the pitch and in a position to rage against the dying of the light. Keith Earls had to watch his clock run out from the stand in Paris. Powerless to keep Father Time at bay for another handful of weeks.