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Rugby

22nd Apr 2023

Munster legend to join select club by making 200th appearance

Rory Fleming

Keith Earls

The 35-year-old has been a tremendous servant to Munster Rugby.

Keith Earls is set to make his 200th appearance for Munster on Saturday evening in Durban against the Sharks, becoming just the 14th player to do so for the southern province.

The URC clash, which is live on both TG4 and Premier Sports, kicks off at 5.15pm as Munster look to back up their victory over the Stormers last weekend.

Graham Rowntree’s side currently sit in fifth place in the table, knowing that a win will secure them a spot in next season’s Champions Cup.

Keith EarlsEarls will become just the 14th ever player to make 200 appearances for Munster. (Credit: Sportsfile)

Earls has been named on the bench in South Africa, with Mike Haley, Shane Daly and Calvin Nash making up the starting back three.

Jack Crowley gets the nod at fly half, with the experienced Conor Murray paired alongside him. Malakai Fekitoa and Antoine Frisch will start in the centre, capping off what looks to be a potent backline.

Peter O’Mahony captains the southern province from the back row, with Alex Kendellen and Gavin Coombes forming an abrasive trio at the back of the scrum.

A front row of Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barron and Stephen Archer pack down in front of a second row pairing of Jean Kleyn and Fineen Wycherley.

Keith EarlsMunster will head to Durban looking to avenge their heavy Champions Cup defeat. (Credit: Sportsfile)

Munster, who have won six of their last seven league games, head to Durban looking to right the wrongs of their Champions Cup knockout round mauling at the hands of the Sharks earlier this month, a game which they lost 50-35.

Their opponents on the other hand have won just once in their last four league outings, alongside a 54-20 demolition away to French side Toulouse in the Champions Cup Quarter Final.

The Sharks currently sit in eight place in the URC, and won their last fixture on a scoreline of 43-33 against Italian side Benetton Treviso.

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