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'Earls will be a great shout to go to the World Cup' - Bernard Jackman

Eddie O'Sullivan believes Keith Earls' return for Munster will be a big boost ahead of the Europe...



'Earls will be a great sho...
Rugby

'Earls will be a great shout to go to the World Cup' - Bernard Jackman

Eddie O'Sullivan believes Keith Earls' return for Munster will be a big boost ahead of the European Champions Cup match against Saracens.

Speaking to Off The Ball, the former Ireland head coach says the Ireland international can give Anthony Foley's side another dimension.

"He's been a huge loss for Munster, no more than Luke Fitzgerald has for Leinster," said Eddie, who believes that his future lies on the wing more than at centre.

"It's a good shot in the arm for Munster going to Saracens. He's one of those guys, if he gets a half-chance, can really open up a backline. Of all things the surface will suit him. It's fast and he's got a great step off either foot."

Bernard Jackman also joined us on the line tonight and he backed Earls to go to the Rugby World Cup if he remains fit.

"He'll be on the plane for sure because he's so versatile. When you're looking at your bench squads, having a guy that can play full-back, winger, centre is obviously very useful. I certainly think he'll be a great shout to go to the World Cup," he said.

Bernard and Eddie also gave their takes on the synthetic pitch that Munster will have to play on when they take on Saracens and how the province can adapt to the challenge.

Meanwhile, from the evidence of the win over Cardiff, Bernard believes that Leinster have become less predictable in attack.

"Their shape has looked a lot better and it has to be. All the top teams have that in multi-phase," he said.

"They'll get massive confidence from those four tries and I think they'll run in quite a few tries this weekend against Castres."

Bernard also painted a picture of the problems at Castres ahead of the Leinster match and thinks it's "ripe for Leinster to put in a big performance and get five points." 

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