Keith Earls stay committed to Ireland and Munster
Keith Earls has played 70 Tests for Ireland
©PA
Utility back Keith Earls has committed his future to Ireland and Munster after signing a new deal that will keep him with the province until June 2021.
Earls has been with the Thomond Park outfit since 2007 and was named the club's Player of the Season last year while also claiming Academy Player of the Year in 2007 and the Young Player of the Year in 2009.
His Ireland debut came in 2008 and has gone on to play 70 Tests in which he managed 27 tries.
The 31-year-old started in every game during Ireland's Grand Slam winning Six Nations campaign earlier this year and was voted Irish Players' Player of the Year last season.
"It would be hard to see me playing anywhere else! I'm delighted to have re-signed for a further two years," he said.
"My family and I are thrilled and I'm looking forward to the future with Munster and Ireland."
IRFU Performance Director David Nucifora praised Earls for his resilience after battling through injuries in 2014 and 2015.
"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 to the US and Japan [in 2017] 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."
Ireland will play Italy, Argentina, New Zealand and United States of America in their autumn international campaign on 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th November respectively.
