As expected, Irish captain Johnny Sexton and winger Keith Earls have both retired from rugby after the World Cup quarter-final defeat to New Zealand. It was well known that 38-year-old Sexton was quitting after the World Cup.
Yesterday Sexton expressed his “sadness and frustration" at Ireland's exit from the World Cup and said they will stay "for a long time to come.”
"But the overarching feeling is the pride I felt playing with such a committed and talented group," he said. "Leaving these players and coaches is what is making retirement so tough."
The 36-year-old Earls has called time on his 16-year professional career during which he won his 101 caps. The Limerick native finishes with 36 Test Tries, leaving him second only behind Brian O’Driscoll in Ireland’s all-time try-scoring chart, while Earls scored 64 tries in 202 appearances for Munster.
In an indelible Irish rugby moment, Earls won his 100th cap against England at Aviva Stadium in August, leading the team out alongside his three daughters Ella-May, Laurie and Emie, before marking the occasion with a memorable try. He made his Ireland debut against Canada in 2008 at Thomond Park, where he scored just two minutes into his international career in green. Earls would go on to become a legend of Irish Rugby, starting all of Ireland’s matches during the 2018 Grand Slam-winning campaign and he most recently featured at his third Rugby World Cup having been involved in the 2015, 2019 and 2023 editions.
Earls said last week: “The game of rugby has given me so much and I feel privileged to have represented my home province Munster and Ireland over the course of my career. I have always tried to be a good friend and team-mate and give all of myself to the jersey, traits inherited from my parents Ger and Sandra and sister Jenny. While retirement is never an easy decision, now is the right time and I feel incredibly fortunate to go out on my own terms representing Ireland on the highest stage. To all the coaches, teachers and volunteers who encouraged and guided me in Thomond, Garryowen and Young Munster and at school in St. Munchin’s College, I am indebted to you for your friendship and support over the years. When I was young I never imagined I would get to represent my country once, never mind 101 times.’’
Irish coach Andy Farrell said: ‘‘Keith is a true legend of Irish rugby and it has been an enormous privilege to work with him over the last seven years. A gifted and committed outside back, Keith’s influence transcends his on-field achievements, of which there were many, both for Munster and Ireland.’’
