Inspiration.

Keith Earls is set to join a very exclusive club this weekend after being named on the bench for Ireland’s Summer Nations Series fixture with England at the Aviva.

The Limerick man is just one cap short of become a Test centurion, and there’s no one in Irish Rugby more deserving of such an incredible accolade.

Earls has been a mainstay for Munster and Ireland since bursting onto the scene as an 18-year-old all the way back in 2007, winning a Heineken Cup with Munster in 2008, before touring with the Lions in 2009.

There aren’t too many men more loved than Earls, with teammates Johnny Sexton, Conor Murray and Peter O’Mahony, proving that with their heartwarming tribute to him.

O’Mahony, especially, struggled to hold back the emotion as he spoke about his longtime teammate.

“I have to say I got a little bit emotional when I saw his name up there,” O’Mahony said.

“He’s put a huge amount into the game, the province, the country. He’s sacrificed a huge amount.

“He’s a huge inspiration…. hugely proud of where he comes from, a very proud man.