Keith Earls shunned the limelight and praise in the aftermath of Munster's incredible European Rugby Champions Cup quarter-final victory over Edinburgh, with the double try-scorer choosing to laud the travelling faithful in the stands.
The 16th man@Munsterrugby fans really are something else#C4rugby #EDIvMUN pic.twitter.com/DR1k3Fi4JV
— Channel 4 Sport (@C4Sport) March 30, 2019
The Irish winger stepped up when Munster needed a hero ten minutes from time, to steal victory from the home side, who enjoyed much of the territory throughout the eighty minutes.
Speaking to British broadcaster Channel 4 after the match, Earls described the atmosphere in Scotland as "like a home game", whilst piling praise on his side's forward division who he said, "put in an incredible effort".
"It was like a home game"@Munsterrugby's man of the match @KEITHEARLS87 pays tribute to the team's incredible travelling support after edging a nailbiting @ChampionsCup quarter-final#C4rugby #EDIvMUN pic.twitter.com/73cZAdu3FB
— Channel 4 Sport (@C4Sport) March 30, 2019
The Moyross man had a word for the pack with regard to his 70th-minute effort also.
As usual it's all the forwards doing the hard work inside, creating an overlap for us. Chris [Farrell] with some lovely soft hands and I was just going straight for the corner flag.
I think our forwards put in an incredible effort. As you said there, it was whoever was going to break first was going to [lose] the game and thankfully it wasn't us.
Johann van Graan's side spent much of the game with their backs against the wall soaking up fierce Edinburgh pressure before Earls took full advantage of his late opening.
The same fella had given the visitors an 18th minute lead, catching the Scottish side's defence on the hop with a quick tap and go. But the hosts would respond in kind, levelling when Chris Dean went over in the 26th minute before Jaco van der Walt kicked them into a 10-7 lead at the break.
Tyler Bleyendaal, in at fly-half after Joey Carbery was forced from the game with injury in the first half, restored parity early in the second-half only for van der Walt to land another penalty to leave the Munster men chasing the game going into the final quarter.
Then came Earls moment of inspiration, finishing with aplomb in the corner after Conor Murray and Chris Farrell worked the ball to the Irish winger.
