<span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><span style='color:black'>The IRFUand Munster Rugby are delighted to confirm that Keith Earls hassigned an IRFU contract extension which will see him continue hiscareer at Munster up to at least the end of June2021.</span></span></span></span> <span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><span style='color:black'>Keithmade his international debut against Canada in November 2008 andhas won 70 Ireland caps to date scoring 27 tries. Hestarted every game of Ireland’s 2018 Grand Slam success andthe three Test Series win over Australia lastsummer.</span></span></span></span> <span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><span style='color:black'><span style='font-size:inherit'><span style='font-weight:inherit'><span style='line-height:inherit'>The YoungMunster man has represented Ireland at two Rugby World Cups (2011and 2015) making 10 appearances and scoring eight tries making himIreland’s RWC all-time top tryscorer.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><span style='color:black'><span style='font-size:inherit'><span style='font-weight:inherit'><span style='line-height:inherit'>As a 21year old he was selected for the British and Irish Lions tour ofSouth Africa where he made five appearances on the 2009 SouthAfrican Tour scoring tries against the Cheetahs and the EmergingSpringbok.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><span style='color:black'><span style='font-size:inherit'><span style='font-weight:inherit'><span style='line-height:inherit'>Keith madehis Munster debut against the Ospreys in 2007 and has representedthe province on 154 occasions scoring 47tries.</span></span></span> <span style='font-size:inherit'><span style='font-weight:inherit'><span style='line-height:inherit'>He</span></span></span> <span style='font-size:inherit'><span style='font-weight:inherit'><span style='line-height:inherit'>won a Heineken Cup in2008</span></span></span> <span style='font-size:inherit'><span style='font-weight:inherit'><span style='line-height:inherit'>and Celtic League title in2011.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><span style='color:black'><span style='font-size:inherit'><span style='color:inherit'><span style='line-height:inherit'><span style='text-decoration:inherit'>Keith Earls</span></span></span></span>,commented <i style='outline:none'><span style='font-size:inherit'><span style='font-weight:inherit'><span style='line-height:inherit'><span style='text-decoration:inherit'>"</span></span></span></span><span style='font-size:inherit'><span style='font-weight:inherit'><span style='line-height:inherit'><span style='text-decoration:inherit'>Itwould be hard to see me playing anywhere else! I’m delightedto have re-signed for a further two years. My family and Iare thrilled and I’m looking forward to the future withMunster andIreland."</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span> <span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><span style='color:black'><span style='font-size:inherit'><span style='color:inherit'><span style='line-height:inherit'><span style='text-decoration:inherit'><span style='font-size:inherit'><span style='font-weight:inherit'><span style='line-height:inherit'>DavidNucifora</span></span></span></span></span></span></span>, IRFUPerformance Director, commented, "</span></span><i style='outline:none'>Keith had a tough run of injuries which ruled himout of the national team successes enjoyed in 2014 and 2015 but hehas demonstrated his strength of character and star quality toreturn and perform at such a consistently high level on theinternational stage. He illustrated his leadershipqualities on the summer tour to the US and Japan where he played akey role in the development of a number of youngerplayers. We are delighted that Keith will continue hiscareer in Ireland."</i></span></span>
