WATCH: Keith Earls celebrates milestone 100th cap with spectacular try against England

LIMERICK winger Keith Earls marked his 100th cap for Ireland by claiming their fifth try in a comprehensive 29-10 defeat of England in their World Cup warm-up game played at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday evening.

The dynamic Earls duly grabbed a try to mark his milestone appearance for his country to add to five-pointers from Bundee Aki, Garry Ringrose, James Lowe and Mack Hansen.

Thirty five-year-old Earls produced an acrobatic finish for a try in the corner to the delight of the home crowd.

The dynamic Earls, who made his Test debut against Canada at Thomond Park in November 2008, has become the fourth Limerickman and ninth player overall to become an Ireland centurion, following in the footsteps of Brian O'Driscoll (133), Ronan O'Gara (128), Cian Healy (124), Rory Best (124), Jonathan Sexton (113), Paul O'Connell (108), John Hayes (105) and Conor Murray (105).

What a moment! What a finish!

Keith Earls’ day just gets better as he goes over in the corner to blow the roof off the Aviva Stadium. pic.twitter.com/owLTS6018i

— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) August 19, 2023

The win saw Ireland retain their place at the top of the world rankings courtesy of a 12th successive win.

There was a key talking point when England's Billy Vunipola was initially shown a yellow card for a dangerous second-half tackle on Andrew Porter, which was then upgraded to a red. He will have an anxious wait to see if that rules him out of the World Cup.

Andy Farrell’s dominant side were far from their free-flowing best but still had too much for their depleted rivals, although the first-half departure of hooker Dan Sheehan is a concern.

Replacement prop Kyle Sinckler claimed a late try shortly before Earls stylishly celebrated his milestone appearance but it was little consolation for the visitors.

'No better way it worked out in Dublin against England' - Keith Earls on reaching the 100-cap milestone and scoring a try into the bargain @IrishRugby #rterugby #IRLvENG pic.twitter.com/hifFRMcLp9

— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) August 19, 2023

IRELAND: Hugo Keenan (UCD/Leinster); Mack Hansen (Galway Corinthians/Connacht), Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster), Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht), James Lowe (Leinster); Ross Byrne (UCD/Leinster), Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster); Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster), Dan Sheehan (Lansdowne/Leinster), Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster), Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster), James Ryan (UCD/Leinster) (capt), Peter O'Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster), Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster), Cian Prendergast (UCD/Connacht). Replacements: Rob Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster), Jeremy Loughman (Garryowen/Munster), Finlay Bealham (Buccaneers/Connacht), Joe McCarthy (Dublin University/Leinster), Caelan Doris (St. Mary's College/Leinster), Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster), Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution/Munster), Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster).

ENGLAND: Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers); Anthony Watson (Unattached), Joe Marchant (Stade Francais), Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks), Elliot Daly (Saracens); George Ford (Sale Sharks), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers); Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears), Jamie George (Saracens), Will Stuart (Bath), Maro Itoje (Saracens), David Ribbans (Toulon), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints) (capt), Ben Earl (Saracens), Billy Vunipola (Saracens). Replacements: Theo Dan (Saracens), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears), Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers), Jack Willis (Toulouse), Danny Care (Harlequins), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Ollie Lawrence (Bath).

REFEREE: Paul Williams (New Zealand)