Keith Earls Signs IRFU Contract Extension To 2021
The IRFU and Munster Rugby are delighted to confirm that Keith Earls has signed an IRFU contract extension which will see him continue his career at Munster up to at least the end of June 2021.
Keith Earls made his international debut against Canada in November 2008 and has won 70 Ireland caps to date scoring 27 tries. He started every game of Ireland’s 2018 Grand Slam success and the summer series win over Australia in June.
The Young Munster clubman, who hails from Moyross in Limerick, has represented Ireland at two Rugby World Cups (2011 and 2015), making 10 appearances and scoring eight tries as Ireland’s all-time World Cup top try scorer.
As a 21-year-old he was selected for the 2009 British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa where he made five appearances, scoring tries against the Cheetahs and the Emerging Springboks.
Keith made his Munster debut against the Ospreys in 2007 and has represented the province on 154 occasions so far, scoring 47 tries. He won a Heineken Cup title with the province in 2008 and was a Celtic League winner in 2011.
IRFU Performance Director David Nucifora commented: “Keith had a tough run of injuries which ruled him out of the national team successes enjoyed in 2014 and 2015, but he has demonstrated his strength of character and star quality to return and perform at such a consistently high level on the international stage.
“He illustrated his leadership qualities on the summer tour last year to the USA and Japan where he played a key role in the development of a number of younger players. We are delighted that Keith will continue his career in Ireland.”
Earls, who turned 31 earlier this month, commented: “It would be hard to see me playing anywhere else! I’m delighted to have re-signed for a further two years. My family and I are thrilled and I’m looking forward to the future with Munster and Ireland.”