Keith Earls - A legendary career in red and green

'Keith’s influence transcends his on-field achievements, of which there were many, both for Munster and Ireland.'

Wed, 18 Oct, 2023 - 07:52

Simon Lewis

Factfile

Age: 36

Born: Limerick, October 2, 1987

School: St Munchin’s College (Munster Schools Senior Cup, 2006)

Clubs: Thomond, Garryowen, Young Munster

Representative: Ireland Under-19, Under-20 (Six Nations Grand Slam, 2007), Ireland A, British & Irish Lions (2009)

MUNSTER

Senior Debut: v Ospreys, April 7, 2007, Liberty Stadium

Champions Cup Debut: v Montauban, October 10, 2008, Thomond Park

Appearances: 202

Tries: 64

Honours

Academy Player of the Year – 2007

Young Player of the Year – 2009

Senior Men’s Player of the Year – 2018* *Only player to win all three

Heineken Cup winner 2008 (replacement)

Magners League/URC title: 2009, 2011, 2023

IRELAND

Debut: v Canada, November 8, 2008, Thomond Park

Caps: 101

Tries: 36 (second on all-time Ireland list)

50th cap: v Scotland, March 19, 2016, Aviva Stadium

100th cap v England, August 19, 2023, Aviva Stadium

World Cups: 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023 (15 apps, 8 tries)

Honours

Six Nations winner: 2018 Grand Slam

Rugby Players Ireland Player of the Year 2018

What was said about Earls?

Andy Farrell: “Keith Earls is a true legend of Irish rugby and it has been an enormous privilege to work with him over the last seven years. A gifted and committed outside back, Keith’s influence transcends his on-field achievements, of which there were many, both for Munster and Ireland.

“Keith was also a leader and an incredibly positive force and he will be missed. On behalf of the Ireland team and management, I would like to thank Keith for his contribution to the game and wish him, his wife Edel and their family the very best of luck with the next exciting chapter in their lives.”

Johnny Sexton: "He's a legend and one of my best mates, not just in rugby but in life. I spend a lot of time with his family away from rugby and he's a top-class human being, a legend of a bloke.

“You couldn't meet a more popular lad in the squad. He's part of our team off the pitch. On the pitch, he's a legend as well. He's had some massive days, the 100th cap.

“I'm gutted for him that he picked up an injury at a bad time so he couldn't be involved in the last couple of weeks but he'll go down as one of the very best for sure. This group will miss him definitely."

Graham Rowntree: “Earlsie is an icon of Munster and Irish rugby. It’s hard to imagine Munster Rugby without Keith Earls and he has given so much to this province.

“He is an incredibly popular member of the squad and the ultimate Munster man, always putting the team first. With more than 200 Munster appearances, over 100 Ireland caps, touring with the Lions…he’s seen and done it all.

“Supporters absolutely love him for being the man that he is and he deserves all of the praise that comes his way. We will miss him but I am delighted that he is retiring on his own terms.

“Scoring that brilliant try for Ireland on his 100th cap was a great way to mark a special occasion and I’m so pleased that his last game for Munster ended with him lifting the URC trophy, no-one deserved it more.”

Andrew Conway: “Keith would be one of my best mates in rugby. He has shown a level of grit and fight that I think is really hard to understand if you’re not with him every day. He’s gone through a lot in terms of getting his body right at times, when it looked like it mightn’t work for him. He’s gone from being a nailed-on starter with Ireland to being on the bench, which is obviously tough for any player.

“Even last year with Munster, having a tough year with his body and Shane (Daly) and Calvin (Nash) going so well and him getting back in on the bench for the end of the year, I think to me that’s the most impressive thing.”

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