Munster Rugby's Graham Rowntree says Keith Earls has what it takes to coach

MUNSTER Rugby head coach Graham Rowntree believes Keith Earls has all the attributes to get involving in coaching in the future if that is a route the Limerick man decides to pursue.

Earls announced his decision to retire from professional rugby last week. The 36-year-old called time on his 16-year professional career during which he won 101 Ireland Test caps.

The Moyross native finished with 36 Test tries to his name, leaving him second only behind Brian O'Driscoll in Ireland's all-time try-scoring chart, while Earls scored 64 tries in 202 appearances for Munster.

Asked if he had hoped Earls might opt to play on in the red of Munster this season, Graham Rowntree said: “I knew he was considering his future. But he has stood down on his terms, hasn’t he?

“The last game he had Munster was a pretty special one (URC final win over Stormers), let’s agree that.

“I’m impressed by his decision. I understand it. I had a good chat with him last Monday and I’m looking forward to him coming in and seeing the lads.”

Asked is Earls could get involved in coaching Rowntree said: “He could coach, whether that is here or elsewhere remains to be seen, but I’d like him to be involved and float around the group as much as possible even if that’s in an unofficial capacity.”

Champions Munster kicked off the defence of their URC title with an impressive five-try bonus point win over the Sharks in front of an official attendance of 11,239 at Thomond Park on Saturday evening.

Six Munster Rugby Academy players featured in the game as Shay McCarthy, Kieran Ryan and Brian Gleeson made their senior debuts. Academy duo Edwin Edogbo and Ethan Coughlan also scored their first Munster tries in the game with the South Africans.

Saturday's game saw winger Andrew Conway play his first competitive fixture for the province since June 2022 after returning from a knee injury.

Rowntree said: “He has been like a new signing for us this summer. I’m delighted he did 80 minutes as well. I was speaking to him there, he was blowing in the first 20 minutes but he had big game involvement.

"I’m really pleased for him, that was important for him to get 80 minutes against a team like that to play the way he did. It gives him a lot of confidence, it has not been easy for him."