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Brian O'Driscoll on Keith...

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Brian O'Driscoll on Keith Earls: "At training, he scares people"

98FM
98FM

08:09 9 Mar 2018


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One of the players who has made a real impression for Ireland in the last 18 months is Keith Earls.

The Munster wing has carried the form that has made him a pivotal figure for his province into the international side who he debuted with in 2008.

Brian O'Driscoll joined Nathan tonight ahead of Ireland vs Scotland and spoke of his former team-mate's evolution. 

Brian O'Driscoll on Keith Earls: "At training, he scares people"

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"Very exciting, very elusive runner. He was raw back then obviously," said Brian of Earls' early days for Ireland.

"I think he's considerably more refined, obviously has a wealth of experience but appears to still have all that athleticism that he had back then as a 20 or 21 year old. He's a great, great athlete.

Keith Earls ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

"I think for years he struggled to find what his best position was. He played a bit at full back, on the wing, then he was moved into centre at times. Obviously now he's settled on the wing. I think he realises that's his best position and Joe Schmidt realises that."  

And his potential was always clear in training according to BOD. 

"I don't think people before this year have had a full appreciation for Keith Earls. At training, he scares people. He would absolutely rip the team apart and a lot of the time when we were training, he mightn't have always been in the side but when he's playing in the opposition and you're doing a defensive set, I can't tell you how many times he would have absolutely cut us apart."

He added that "this year in particular, his form has been excellent and he's really showcasing what we've been seeing or certainly what I was watching at training for years."

Brian also gave his prediction for the Ireland vs Scotland match.

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