Dublin (AFP) – Experienced utility back Keith Earls said he would find it hard to play anywhere other than for Munster and Ireland after he signed a two-year extension to his present contract on Thursday.
The 31-year-old — scorer of 27 tries in 70 Tests and an integral member of the Six Nations Grand Slam-winning side this year — committed himself to his province and the national side till June 2021.
Earls has enjoyed a stellar career both with Munster and Ireland — he is his country’s all-time record try scorer at the World Cup with eight in two campaigns (2011/15) — winning the 2008 European Cup and 2011 Celtic League.
“It would be hard to see me playing anywhere else!” Earls said in a statement released by the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU).
“I’m delighted to have re-signed for a further two years. My family and I are thrilled.”
David Nucifora, the IRFU’S Performance Director, said Earls had shown great resilience to come through two injury-blighted years in 2014 and 2015 and earn himself the contract extension.
“He has demonstrated his strength of character and star quality to return and perform at such a consistently high level on the international stage,” said Nucifora.
Earls has also gone on one Britsh and Irish Lions tour, the 2009 edition in South Africa making five appearances although he did not make the Test side.
pi/jd
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