Keith Earls retires after Rugby World Cup exit

IRELANDโ€™S Rugby World Cup exit brought with it the retirement of Keith Earls, one of the most decorated players in the sport.

The decision of the 36-year-old, who started the opening pool game against Romania for his 101st cap but hasnโ€™t featured in the match-day 23 since, was confirmed by coach Andy Farrell.

Earls made his international debut against Canada in 2008 at Thomond Park, where he scored a try just a couple of minutes into the contest with his first touch of the ball.

Another 35 tries would follow and the Young Munster flyer started every game during Irelandโ€™s 2018 grand slam campaign, with injury robbing him of involvement in this yearโ€™s side that also managed the clean sweep in the Six Nations.

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โ€œHeโ€™s a legend and one of my best mates, not just in rugby but in life,โ€ said captain Johnny Sexton, who also announced his retirement.

โ€œI spend a lot of time with his family away from rugby and heโ€™s a top-class human being, a legend of a bloke. You couldn’t meet a more popular lad in the squad.

โ€œHe’s part of our team off the pitch. On the pitch, heโ€™s a legend as well. Heโ€™s had some massive days, the 100th cap. Iโ€™m gutted for him that he picked up an injury at a bad time so he couldn’t be involved in the last couple of weeks, but heโ€™ll go down as one of the very best for sure. This group will miss him definitely.โ€