THE LION CUB WHO RETURNED AS IRELAND’S LEADING MAN
Keith Earls is one of only two current Ireland players with experience of playing Test rugby in South Africa
BOY TO man is effectively the life-changing transformation Keith Earls has undergone since he last stepped foot in South Africa. He was a Lions cub in 2009, an immature 21-year-old living the dream but not really properly living it, so nervous was he under the spotlight as a tourist who came home from that arduous trip feeling he hadn’t delivered on the hype.
Seven years later, the matured 28year-old flies out to Cape Town today in Joe Schmidt’s rejigged 32-strong Ireland squad and, most intriguingly, is one of just two players with senior international experience in the world’s most intimidating rugby destination.
‘I was only a child in ’09,’ he says, comparing the grown-up of 2016 with the nipper who became more synonymous for looking after the Lions’ lion mascot off the field than anything on it following an errorridden day one run-out against the Royal XV.
‘I have a lot more confidence now. I’d only played two (Ireland tests), or one and a half, going there in ’09 and I have 50 now. I have learned a lot. I probably beat myself up a lot when I was younger and had no confidence.
‘It showed in the first game with the Lions. I was really nervous, but I got to know a lot about myself now, body-wise and mentally. I’m a completely different fella and I’ve matured a lot as well.
‘It [Lions selection] was ridiculous. I was only a 21-year-old heading down with legends of the game I would have watched growing up – it was nearly a state of questioning whether I deserved to be there or not.
‘I hadn’t played too many tests and that is where I lost my confidence rather than embracing it and saying, “Yeah, I’m good enough to be here”.
‘I showed in one or two games that I was, but I had nowhere near the knowledge back then that I do now. I made a few mistakes on that tour and I have learned massively from them,’ he continues, adding that the media criticism at the time took a heavy toll.
‘It’s about growing up as well, isn’t it? That is why my form is a lot more consistent now because I haven’t tuned into anything. I barely tune into what is going on in the world, never mind what is going on in sport. The greatest advice my father gives me is, “It’s all about what is between the four walls at home”. That is all that matters.’
It was fellow Irish tourists who rode to his rescue on the Lions, a show of support he won’t think twice about giving back to rookie Ireland players this month if they need the sort of assistance he has already started to give to Munster’s younger players.
‘I never thought I would be that senior player, but it’s amazing how fast it comes along. It feels quite good to know you are looking after fellas.
‘I had Paul (O’Connell) and Ronan O’Gara throw their arms around me.
‘If you ask me did I enjoy the tour, I probably didn’t. It was tough, but it was a dream. I was training with these legends five days a week, going out for dinner with these lads.
‘That is the thing about Munster, Leinster and Irish people in general, when there is a senior fella around he will look after you. That is the only thing that got me through, the boys – Ronan, Donncha (O’Callaghan), Paul – feeding me with confidence.’ The nowretired O’Connell was a winter sounding board when Saracens came looking for Earls’ services before he opted to renew his IRFU deal. That London flirtation isn’t something he is keen on discussing. ‘Ah, I hate talking about things that aren’t done, but I had to make a decision for my family and how my family had to come first.’ He’s more forthcoming about life after O’Connell in the Ireland setup, about how the dynamic is very different sharing a room with the more laid-back Conor Murray. ‘I’m not talking to Paul day to day – he’s too busy with his golf lessons – but I’d ring him once every two weeks. If I have to make an important decision in life, he would be the first fella I’d ring and ask for advice. That is how close we are, that is how much I respect his opinion. ‘I’d still look to him… but I’m in with Conor now and it’s a lot more relaxing. He floats through the air, very relaxed for a fella who is one of the best nines in the world. He listens to his music before games, just doesn’t feel pressure. ‘With Paul being captain, having so much pressure on and being the talisman on lots of teams, he would always be anxious and I’d be nearly trying to relax him a bit. Now it’s the opposite way around with Conor, he’s trying to relax me. Paul had his ways but he got the job done, so I wasn’t going to change him.’
It’s four years since Ireland last faced a demanding three-Test series at the end of a World Cup year. They were Black-washed in New Zealand, losing all three games.
However, having completed a provincial mini pre-season with the four other Munster players in Schmidt’s (left) Irish squad after their season ended four weeks ago, Earls has fingers crossed there will be no lethargy on tour.
‘The only positive about not qualifying (for PRO12 play-offs) is we got to train hard and got weekends off. All the emotional fatigue and pressure around games wasn’t there the last few weeks. It was a small bit more relaxing. It has been a hell of a long year but hopefully we can go down and not only win a game but win a series.’
That’s a bold prediction. From boy to man, indeed.
It feels quite good to be looking after other fellas ....