Ireland winger Keith Earls says he has had to take extra measures to ensure he stays fit after battling back from a troublesome knee injury.
The 27-year old Lion missed the start of the 2014/15 season after picking up his latest serious injury in national camp last August.
Earls finally returned against Zebre in January and the Limerick native played 10 games for Munster since then, scoring five tries and has also featured for the Irish Wolfhounds against the Saxons where he started at outside centre.
And Earls is concentrating on keeping himself in peak condition as he looks to stave off the injuries that have plagued his career in recent years.
“I’m happy playing rugby, have had a good eight or nine games under my belt, first time in a couple of years, so very happy.
‘Flares up’
“It flares up now and then, something I might have to keep looking after for the rest of my career, sometimes I feel good but it needs to have a good warm-up but that’s something I’ll probably have to do even when I’m retired and playing five-a-side soccer,” said Earls, who has scored 33 tries in his 105 Munster appearances.
Munster will be looking to Earls for another big performance as they welcome Treviso to Cork tomorrow.
Anthony Foley’s men were victorious on a 21-10 scoreline for their first win of the season when these sides last met at Stade Monigo in September.
Munster are second in the Pro12 and despite the crucial fixture that follows against Ulster in the race for the home semi-final spots, Earls says Munster will be taking it one game at a time.
“The big man [Foley] has us warned to keep an eye on only one match and that’s this weekend, get the result this weekend to put us in a good position for a top-four finish, so I don’t think we dare talk of Ulster and Dragons.
Focus
“This is all about focusing on the Treviso game. It’s going to be each game as it comes, we have a break next week and we will look at Ulster then.
“I don’t think the break affects you, after a big win you go out and get on with a big week’s training, some guys like playing every week and to keep on going, other guys like a bit of a break to let their bodies settle down.
“They’re a very physical team, like all Italian sides, that’s an area we will have to match them, but the main thing is to look after ourselves, our game, and hopefully we will get the result,” said Earls.
