Limerick winger Keith Earls 'grateful' to have reached the 100-cap milestone

LIMERICK winger Keith Earls celebrated his 100th cap for Ireland by scoring one of their five tries in a comprehensive 29-10 World Cup warm-up win over England at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday evening.

Earls became the fourth Limerick man to join the ‘100 Club’ following in the footsteps of Paul O'Connell, John Hayes and current Ireland squad member Conor Murray. Just nine players overall have reached the milestone for Ireland.

Thirty five-year-old Earls brought the crowd to their feet when he ran out before the game at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday and again when he was introduced for Mack Hansen in the second half and in spectacular fashion with a 72nd minute try.

Earls was accompanied by his three daughters, Ella-May, Laurie and Emie, as he was given a rousing reception from the home fans before both teams emerged from the tunnel prior to kick-off at Lansdowne Road in the game which Ireland won 29-10.

Earls told RTE Sport afterwards: “It was a tough week I suppose with all the attention on the 100th cap but look, I’m delighted I’ve done it.
“I tried to get my wife and kids to stay away and just stay in the background, but they told me I’d regret it – I’m happy I’ve done it now and it all worked out well.

“I think I've been waiting to get these two caps since the New Zealand tour. To get it the way it worked out, in Dublin against England, there’s no better way. I’m very grateful to do it.”

Munster Rugby winger Earls won his first senior Ireland cap against Canada at Thomond Park in November 2008. He marked that occasion also by scoring a try in an Ireland victory.

“It’s crazy how long the journey has become, having been on more downs than ups. I think the ups are starting to come the last couple of months and makes it all worthwhile,” Earls added.

Earls will be hoping now that he is included in Andy Farrell's squad for the upcoming World Cup in France, If selected, it would be the fourth time that the Moyross man will have represented his country at the Rugby World Cup.